Politics & Government

Dardenne Prairie Keeps 2011 Tax Rate Steady

Aldermen set property tax rate, discuss the high cost of fixing Marian Drive and strategic planning.

The Dardenne Prairie Board of Aldermen voted during its Wednesday night meeting to keep the city’s real estate and property tax rate steady.

The city has had the same tax rate of 11.59 cents per $100 assessed valuation for the past several years, said Mayor Pam Fogarty.

At that rate, $44.04 of Dardenne Prairie residents’ real estate tax would go to the city on a home with a $200,000 market value.

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Other taxing districts, including school, fire and library districts, set their own real estate and property tax rates, which affects the total tax paid.

“We don’t get as much as the library district gets,” Fogarty said. “I believe ours is the lowest rate in St. Charles County with the exception of Weldon Spring, which has no property tax rate. So, you can buy more house in Dardenne Spring.”

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City Backs off Marian

During the board’s work session, City Engineer Luke Kehoe told aldermen it would cost $335,000 to bring Marian Drive up to city standards.

Fogarty told board members that some of the residents along Marian are Dardenne Prairie residents and asked the city to accept responsibility for the road.

“I’m not sitting here asking the board to do this instead of Tyson’s Corner. I’m just going off a request from a citizen of Dardenne Prairie,” she said.

Fogarty since just six people live on Marian Drive, the residents cannot afford to fix the road themselves. She said she didn’t see any way to accept the street unless the city obtains grants or other outside funding for the project.

“As far as getting any grants for this, the chances are slim,” Kehoe told board members.

Other board of aldermen actions included the following.

  • Alderman Scott Kolbe discussed selecting a facilitator and setting a time for a strategic planning session in October or November.
  • Kolbe suggested amending the sign ordinance to be govern developments rather than individual businesses within developments.
  • Alderman Michael Conroy submitted bids for Christmas decorations and recommended accepting a $5,000 bid from Red Nose Lighting. The board did not vote on the bid.


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