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MARSHALL -- The Marshall City Council approved a $7.5 million 2021 tax levy Tuesday by a 4-3 vote.
This final levy represents a $197,894 increase from the 2020 levy, an increase of 2.8%.
During an August work session, the council was considering a $456,584 levy increase or 6.47%, mainly due to the street capital revolving fund, increased salary and health care costs.
This increase was reduced to $246,895, or 3.5%, by the time the council set a preliminary levy on Sept. 8 and staff was able to further lower the levy increase before the final vote.
Mayor Bob Byrnes said a substantial amount of work went into setting this levy and budget that would serve the city adequately and also keep the spending level as low as possible.
City Administrator Sharon Hanson said the average homeowner would see a $10 per year increase and the average commercial property owner would see between a $35 to $75 increase.
The motion to adopt this levy and budget was made by Councilor Craig Schafer with a second from Councilor John DeCramer. It passed by 4-3 votes, with councilors Glenn Bayerkohler, Russ Labat and James Lozinksi voting against.
Also Tuesday, Byrnes and the council recognized Bayerkohler for his eight years of service on the council. Tuesday was his last meeting with the council.
Bayerkohler said he enjoyed working with the city employees and believed Marshall was fortunate to have these employees. He was also grateful the council was able to have honest and healthy debates that represented the diversity in the city.
Bayerkohler said even when the council disagrees, they can go home on friendly terms.
"I really appreciated that and hope that this practice will continue in the future," he said.
He closed by thanking the citizens of the First Ward for letting him serve for the last eight years.