Late last year, the City was excited to announce the anticipation of much-needed infrastructure improvements. At that time, we announced the reconstruction project of a portion of River Lane and the continuation of the annual residential road resurfacing program. Unfortunately, the appearance and the effect of the COVID 19 pandemic were not anticipated.

The pandemic has put many of our friends, businesses, and residents in financial distress. The City is no different. The ordered closure of many of our retail tax-generating business partners is having a large impact on the City’s fiscal status. This anticipated retail sales tax allows the City to be able to provide full City services, like Police, Fire, and Public Works, and continue to levy a zero percent municipal property tax.

These uncertain times have put the City in a position to further demonstrate fiscal responsibility to our residents. Due to this unexpected hurdle, the City is suspending the River Lane reconstruction project, and the 2020 residential street overlay project, for this construction season. This necessary decision is not one we wanted to make, nor did we make it in haste. The understanding by our residents of this decision is greatly appreciated.

We are confident that the City will be in a great position to do these projects in the 2021 construction season.

In addition, in an effort to help our citizens through the financial instability caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, the City will be requesting that the Loves Park City Council consider an amendment to the City Code of Ordinances. This amendment will suspend the previously approved annual water rate increase for a period of one year. The rate increase originally to be made effective on May 1, 2020, would now be implemented on May 1, 2021. All subsequent annual increases will be pushed back on a yearly basis as specified on the originally approved rate schedule.

We hope that this action will assist the residents of the City of Loves Park in these uncertain times.

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