By Sara StrongEven though the city of Luverne reduced its spending by cutting services and personnel, the levy is increasing for local taxpayers.The Luverne City Council Tuesday passed a proposed levy for 2003, of $718,031. The city has had no increases in its levies for the past two years, so the percentage increase seems startling at about a 34 percent increase. The Luverne levy last year was $534,000.The levy in 2000 ($725,268) was actually closer to what the city is planning to collect now.Most of the fluctuations are reflected in state aid shifts, as the actual overall budget for the city has remained relatively constant.The levy will be finalized in December.Fire department donationBill Stegemann from CenterPoint Energy, Minnegasco, presented Fire Chief Don Deutsch and fire department member Dan Nath a donation at Tuesday’s Council meeting.The grant of $2,370 will go toward three portable radios. The CenterPoint donation is through the Community Partnership Grant Program, which is earmarked for beautification and safety projects.
