Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council approved the city’s 2023 budget Monday night, with five council members supporting it, one opposing it and another abstaining. 

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Next year’s $600.9 million budget includes a property tax levy increase of 6.85%, which brings the city’s property tax levy to over $92.7 million. The budget also includes expenses and revenue for Rochester Public Utilities. 

City of Rochester
City of Rochester
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City documents indicate Rochester's budget is divided into three major expenditure areas: 

  • $ 367.8 million for operations 
  • $213.9 million for the capital improvement program 
  • $19.3 million for debt service

The budget calls for a general fund increase of $4.1 million, bringing the fund to about $105.5 million. 57% of general fund dollars go to public safety, 16.5% for public works, 17.3% is allocated for general government and 9.1% is earmarked for other expenses.

City of Rochester
City of Rochester
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Council members also signed off on a 2.5% general electric rate increase and a 5% general water rate increase for Rochester Public Utilities customers. 

The 2023 budget calls for the in capital improvement spending to be spread out across 187 projects. The budget calls for parking fees and transit fares to remain the same as they were in 2022.

Wow! Check out how Rochester has changed throughout the years in these Google photos.

As we are soaring down Hwy 52, it is hard to imagine what life was like in our town before the Target store was built where it is today. Or the house that you live in now, at one point in town, that wasn't there. In fact, Rochester has grown so fast throughout the years, most of our houses weren't even around 50 years ago! Don't believe me? Look through these photos to get a glimpse of what Rochester was like years ago.

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