March 11, 2025 Annual Business Meeting Minutes
Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 3-11-2025
The annual meeting of Alexandria Township was held at Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.
Clerk Meuwissen opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:00 PM.
Bernie Van Zomeren was nominated as moderator by motion from Jeff Oberg, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer. Being no other nominations, the motion was passed unanimously
The meeting was turned over to Bernie Van Zomeren at 6:04 PM.
AGENDA: Jeff Oberg, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
MINUTES: Moderator Van Zomeren reported the minutes from the 2024 annual meeting had been posted on the Township Website since last year and no corrections were noted. Jeff Oberg, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the prior year’s annual meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Clerk Meuwissen posted at the entrance to the conference room draft copies of the 2024 Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances along with the 2024 Balance Sheet, both of which were completed by the Auditor.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Meuwissen summarized key financial activity. Ending Fund Balance was $1,529,911, down compared to 2023 fund balance of $1,751,695.
Revenues were $1,240,841 of which $959,161 was from collected property taxes. Expenditures in 2024 were $1,485,276 compared to a budget of $1,213,701. Expenditures exceeded budget by $272,000. The spending in excess of the budget was primarily from the repair and overlay of Queens Rd., Maple Dr., and West Lake Jessie Dr.
Clerk Meuwissen reviewed the approved budgeted expenditures for 2026 at $1,433,632, which is a 7 % increase over 2025’s budget of $1,333,850. The increase is primarily due to the Township Board’s continued aggressive attempt to repair roads before they deteriorate to a point where they require more costly reclaim projects.
Clerk Meuwissen reported new house construction continued at a busy rate of 20 homes compared to 25 new homes in 2023 and 2022. The total permits issued, which includes new homes, remodels, expansions, and roof repairs, were up compared to 2023.
Clerk Meuwissen reported ALASR completed the sewer extension along County Rd 81 and County Rd 82 in Alexandria Township. The assessment for parcels along this improvement will be assessed $28,000. The Township Board committed by resolution to reduce it to $25,000. The $3,000 per parcel difference will come from existing fund balances.
Clerk Meuwissen stated an analysis was completed showing the tax capacity of the Township has increased at a faster rate than either spending or increases in the levy, concluding the Township is in a sound financial position and suggests the Township Board has been prudent in their spending.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Rod Eldevik, made a motion to approve the Clerk’s report as presented. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer, Alexandria Township’s representative to the AAEDC, gave an update of activity from the Economic Development Commission. He reported they continue to purchase properties in an effort to encourage economic growth. After repurposing the buildings, they lease or sell the buildings, usually fully recovering the original outlay of funds. Dahlheimer stated the Township continues to work with AAEDC to find a future office space for the Township Office.
Clerk Meuwissen presented the proposed 2025 Levy to be collected in 2026. It was highlighted that the increase in the levy for all the funds except the Road and Bridge fund is 6%. The Road and Bridge fund increased 24% with a combined total levy increase of 14%. The combined Levy of $1,137,414 was detailed in the agenda and presented for consideration.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the levy for General Revenue in the amount of $296,785. Motion carried.
Jeff Oberg, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for Road and Bridge in the amount of $340,000. Motion carried.
Rod Eldevik, seconded by Jerry Wright, made a motion to approve the levy for Blacktop in the amount of $224,610. Motion carried.
Dennis Butz, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the levy for ALASD in the amount of $162,218. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the levy for Snow and Weed in the amount of $83,801. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve a levy for a new Storm Water Management fund in the amount of $30,000. Motion carried.
Rod Eldevik, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the total levy including all funds for $1,137,414. Motion carried.
ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR: Clerk Meuwissen stated he was in contact with Colton Steidl of the Carlos Fire Department. By agreement, Colton Steidl would be put on a future agenda and meet with the Township Board and Clerk Meuwissen agreed to pass on three primary messages on their behalf: 1) they are dedicated to being the best at what they do and are here to serve the Township’s residents; 2) Steidl shared the expected 2026 Township cost for service would be $6,500 and 3) Steidl said he is available to share how the allocation of costs was computed and answer any questions.
School District 206 Community Education was on the agenda but was not present.
No other items from the floor.
ELECTION RESULTS: None,
2026 MEETING DATE: Moderator Bernie Van Zomeren requested suggestions on a meeting time and place for the next annual township meeting. The Township’s office conference room at 324 Broadway was suggested. Motion by Rod Eldevik to set the time of the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and the location as the Township Conference room located at 324 Broadway. Motion was seconded by Joel Dahlheimer. The motion passed unanimously.
Being no further business, Moderator Van Zomeran adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:31 PM.
Submitted March 13, 2024
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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2025
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Bernie Van Zomeren- Moderator