City again looking at levy to repair streets

Havre City Council voted for the second time in three years to place a mill levy increase proposal on next November's ballot to repair city streets and passed on first reading two ordinances related to pets at the council's Monday meeting.

Council members voted unanimously to bring the proposed annual increase of 66.30 mills before Havre voters. If approved, the levy would cost the owner of a home with a taxable marketable value of $100,000 an additional $89.50 in annual property taxes for the next 20 years and the owner of a $200,000 property $179 more in property taxes.

The resolution says it is estimated the additional revenue would bring in an extra $750,000 a year that would be dedicated to the reconstruction and improvement of Havre streets.

A similar but larger levy that would have brought in $1.5 million over 20 years was defeated by voters in 2015.

Council member Terry Lilletvedt said at the meeting that she and other council members would be available to speak with local clubs and organizations interested in learning more about the proposal. She added that there would also be public meetings about the mill levy request.

The council also passed on first reading two ordinances related to keeping animals within the city.

Approval on a second reading is required before the ordinances go into effect. The council's next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21.

One ordinance relates to animals that are not spayed or neutered. The proposed ordinance says if an animal six months of age or older is found running at large for the second time within a year, the animal's owner will be required to buy a spay or neuter certificate when the animal is reclaimed. The proposal says the certificate would be redeemable for 30 days at a veterinarian of the owner's choice.

If the animal is still not spayed or neutered and is caught loose for either a third time within a 12-month period or a fifth time within the span of its life the animal will be transported for spay or neuter to a veterinarian of the animal owner's choice. The owner would then have to pay all veterinarian and impound fees before the animal is released.

Council President Andrew Brekke said the new ordinance would provide Havre Animal Control Officer Pete Federspiel additional flexibility to control the pet population.

The ordinance also contains an option where the animal owner can appeal to the Havre City Court if they don't want their animal to be spayed or neutered.

Federspiel said if the owner doesn't come back and get the animal within five days, the animal would then be put up for adoption.

An ordinance related to animal cruelty also passed first reading.

Brekke said that, traditionally, any violations of cruelty to animals law was handled through state statute and not city law.

The proposed ordinance says a dog kept outside must be provided with a shelter or dog house that is "moisture proof and windproof and a suitable size to accommodate the dog being kept and allow for retention of body heat." The ordinance also says the shelter must be made out of durable material with a floor that is either moisture proof or raised at least 2 inches off the ground. The shelter must also, between Nov. 1 and March 31, have a windbreak at the entrance.

Brekke said that under the ordinance the dog would not have to be in the shelter at all times as a suitable shelter is available.

In the public comment section of the meeting, Great Northern Fairgrounds Manager Dave Brewer thanked Mayor Tim Solomon for his input, knowledge and help in putting on this year's Great Northern Fair.

This year was the first fair Brewer presided over after being hired as fairgrounds manager earlier this year.

Solomon had held the position until 2015, when he resigned.