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Of the ten townships in the Paynesville area - see chart at right - five increased their tax levies for 2006. Two others reallocated their levy - raising part, while lowering another part the same amount - and three kept their levies the same in 2006 as 2005.

Townships raising their levies for 2006 were: Eden Lake (up $25,000 to $440,000); Irving (up $25,000 to $215,000); Paynesville (up $16,500 to $423,500); Union Grove (up $13,500 to $120,000); and St. Martin (up $11,000 to $140,000).

Eden Lake Township raised its levy to $440,000 by increasing its amounts for revenue by $10,000, for tarring by $10,000, and for snow removal by $5,000. This amounts to a six-percent increase in the levy.

The residents of Eden Lake Township also gave their board of supervisors the go ahead to look at bonding to tar roads in the township. Research into costs and which roads to tar are expected this spring, after which the board will hold a public hearing. The roads would be tarred this summer.

Irving Township raised its levy to $215,000 by increasing its road and bridge figure by $15,000 and its fire levy by $10,000. This $25,000 increase represents a 13-percent increase in its levy.

Paynesville Township raised its revenue levy by $7,000, its road and bridge levy by $6,500, its snow removal levy by $2,000, and its fire levy by $1,000, totalling $16,500. Increasing its levy to $423,500 represents a four-percent levy increase.

Union Grove Township increased its revenue levy by $5,000, its road and bridge levy by $5,000, and its fire levy by $3,500, totalling $13,500. Raising its levy to $120,000 for 2006, this is a 12.5-percent increase.

St. Martin Township raised its general levy by $10,000 and its fire levy by $1,000, increasing its total levy to $140,000, or 8.5 percent.

Munson Township and Zion Township changed allocations in their levies but kept their total levies the same for 2006: $232,000 for Munson and $167,000 for Zion. Zion Township also approved small contributions to both the Paynesville Area Center and the Paynesville Area Historical Society for 2006.

Lake Henry Township ($82,000), Manannah Township ($120,000), and Roseville Township ($94,000) kept their levies the same for 2006.

Township residents will pay for these tax increases in 2006, with the township governments receiving the money in 2007.