BEMIDJI -- The Bemidji City Council will meet Monday evening, Sept. 13, to determine the 2022 preliminary tax levy and future of Sanford Center management.
In an early August meeting, the council discussed a potential tax levy increase of $282,000, or 4.3%, for 2022. The amount was based on an expected revenue increase of $516,000 and a rise in expenses by $798,000.
Those expense increases are mostly driven by personnel costs. For example, the budget includes $333,000 for cost of living adjustments.
However, during the meeting, several council members also noted the importance of including Sanford Center maintenance costs. Sanford Center staff provided city officials with an estimate of $1.4 million in capital improvement needs.
If the entire amount was included, the levy increase would be at 26.3%. Not willing to commit to that amount, the council asked city staff to calculate a tax levy increase between 8.5% and 10%.
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For such an increase, the dollar amount would be between $339,000 and $437,000. During the meeting, the council will consider what amount to set for the preliminary tax levy.
Once the council votes on the preliminary tax levy, they are allowed to lower it, but not raise it, before they take their final vote on the matter in December.
The 193,000 square-foot facility is home of BSU's hockey programs and contains an arena with more than 4,000 seats, as well as attached conference space. On an annual basis, the city invests hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover operating losses at the facility.
In 2020, the city invested $450,000 for Sanford Center operations.
