The Willmar City Council on Jan. 22 heard from the consultants who have been working with the Willmar broadband committee in planning an open-access fiber network for the city.
Council members recently shared concerns about the cost to build a new city hall and community center, as well as concerns about downtown parking if Block 50 is chosen as the site for a new city hall.
The final approved levy is approximately $10.185 million and the approved final budget is approximately $67.7 million. Councilor Tom Butterfield was the sole no vote on both the budget and the levy.
The Willmar City Council will conduct its Truth-in-Taxation hearing Monday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m. before it approves its final budget and property tax levy.
The Willmar City Council on Monday hesitantly approved the proposed 2024 preliminary levy, which is a 15% increase over the 2023 levy. Councilors were not in favor of the increase to the city's operating fund.