Winter 2020-21 Hometown Messenger

Shakopee named among Best Places to Live The City of Shakopee was listed No. 30 on Money Magazine's 2020 Best Places to Live.

The annual ranking of the Best Places to Live features 50 towns and cities where the economy, job growth and housing market have remained strong despite COVID-19 disruptions. "The touristy hotspots have certainly contributed to the strong economy in Shakopee, which has seen a 9-percent rise in employment since 2015 alone. Home prices are quite favorable for the region, too. At around $263,000, the area’s median price is well below nearby Prior Lake and Eden Prairie," according to the report. Money looked at a list of 1,890 locations throughout the United States to pick its top 50 winners. This year, it looked at towns and cities with a population of at least 25,000 and ranked the Best Places to Live by putting the greatest emphasis on economic factors, like employment opportunities, as well as supply and demand for homes, cost of living, quality of schools, racial and economic diversity and health and safety.

Shakopee was recognized not only for its entertainment options, but also the economy, job growth and housing market.

PROPOSED 2021 CITY LEVY & BUDGET 2020 budget invests in public safety In September, the City Council reviewed and adopted the preliminary 2021 levy and budget. While the budget holds relatively steady from 2020, it includes continuing the Fire Department’s 24-7 staffing model, which was implemented during COVID-19. This model has reduced the average call response time by 5 minutes.

A LOOK BACK Originating in 1934, annual “Birthday Balls”were held Jan. 30 in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s

birthday. Roosevelt, America’s 32nd president, was unable to walk after contracting polio at age 39 and was passionate about battling the disease. In 1937, the National Foundation of Infant Paralysis was founded to raise awareness of the disease. Through the foundation, the March of Dimes campaign came to be.

The preliminary city levy of $21,017,800 is an increase of $637,300, or 3.13 percent, from last year. Much of the increase will be covered by new construction, as the city’s estimated market value increased by $521 million, or 8.6 percent, to $6.6 billion. New construction accounts for 22 percent of the increase. For the median-value Shakopee home increasing by 6.3 percent from $251,000 to

The public is invited to the Dec. 1 City Council meeting to provide feedback and comments on the proposed 2021 budget and levy.

“Birthday Balls” ended in 1945 with Roosevelt's death, but the March of Dimes continues today. The March of Dimes contributed financially to support the research of Jonas Salk, who in 1955, developed the polio vaccine which nearly eliminated the disease. Shakopee hosted one of the first Scott County Birthday Balls on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1935. Shakopee Mayor John J. Cavanaugh, the chairman of the Scott County Birthday Ball, announced the Riviera Supper Club was the location of the ball. A live orchestra was provided, and ticket cost was $1 per couple. Former mayor of Shakopee and well-known judge, Joseph J. (J. J.) Moriarty, took over as head of the Scott County Birthday Ball in 1942. The Scott County Birthday Ball continued until the fundraiser nationally ended in 1945.

$266,800, a property owner would see an increase of $5 annually in city property taxes. Absent any change in value, homeowners can expect a tax decrease of $50, or about 6.2 percent. Since 2016, the median value home has increased in value by 30.5 percent with just a 14.9-percent increase in property taxes paid on the home. Overall, the proposed tax levy will drop the city’s tax rate from 33.965 percent to 31.851 percent, a decrease of 2.114 percent. This is the fourth consecutive year the city will see its tax rate decrease.

6 Hometown Messenger