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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)  It looks like the Rochester City Council will soon be revisiting a sensitive issue - new fees.  

City Administrator Steve Kvenvold told the council Monday that property taxes can no longer support needs that have been growing in recent years. He is planning to present two proposals that were rejected in the past by the council -  a natural gas franchise fee and a street light utility.  Residents and businesses are also expected to face another round of rate increases for sanitary sewer services.

The council was also told the city’s transportation needs are facing serious challenges. Public Works Director Richard Freese told the council his department currently spends less than $11 million on streets and roads each year - about $20 million less than what should be spent.  Freese says the council needs to significantly increase spending on pavement preservation the next few years due to the city’s growth and aging infrastructure.

His presentation was part of a series of department head briefings the council has received in recent weeks as the groundwork is being laid for the city’s 2016 budget.

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