Welcome to the City of Foley…a Minnesota thriving rural community!
City of Foley has a strong economic base, a convenient and accessible location, education system, numerous recreational activities and a quality of life, based on traditional values.Notices
Changes to January 2020 Water/Sewer Bills – New Due Date, MN Test Fee Increase, and New Local Sales Tax for Commercial Accounts
Quarterly water bills are coming soon to a mail box near you! To avoid a $25 late charge and a possible disruption of services, be sure to pay your new water bill in full no later than Feb. 29.
***Please note the change in Due Date and Penalty Date. ***
You will also note a couple increases on your bill:
- The Minnesota Test Fee has increased from $1.59 per quarter to $2.43 per quarter.
- There is also a new .5% Local Transient Sales Tax for commercial accounts.
Delinquent portions of your bill (anything past due from a previous quarter) should be paid immediately to avoid water shut off.
For questions about your bill, please call Foley City Hall at 320-968-7260.
Nominations Needed for the 2020 Foley Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award
The Foley Area Chamber of Commerce has created a Citizen of the Year Award Program to recognize one person that has displayed outstanding dedication and contribution to the community during the preceding year. Members of the Foley Area Chamber of Commerce are to nominate a person whom they feel would deserve to receive the award. Forms must be completed and received no later than 5:00pm on May 1, 2020 to be eligible.
Foley City Council Votes to Raise Water/Sewer Rates and Fees for 2020
The Foley City Council voted unanimously during their Dec. 3 council meeting to raise the city water/sewer rates for 2020. The new 2020 rates are roughly the equivalent of a 5% increase over the 2019 rates.
Foley residents will see an increase to their minimum water/sewer bill from $87.69 to $92.73. This includes an increase in the Minnesota Test Fee from $1.59 per quarter to $2.43 per quarter. The increase in the MN Test Fee will begin with the January 2020 billing (prior to the rate increase), making the minimum water bill for only the January billing $88.53.
The City of Foley is systematically raising rates to fund an anticipated wastewater system upgrade as well as to qualify for state funding for the project. Without state funding, Foley residents would end up footing the entire bill for the anticipated multi-million wastewater improvement project.
Rates are effective upon publication, Jan. 1, 2020. Foley residents will see the new rates reflected in their first quarter 2020 water/sewer utility bills scheduled to arrive in mailboxes in April 2020.
The City of Foley Needs you! Board Positions Available Jan. 1, 2020
As of January 1, 2020, there will be positions available on various City boards. The terms of these positions vary from one to four years. Anyone interested in being considered for appointment or with questions, please contact City Hall at 320-968-7260, or P.O. Box 709, Foley, MN 56329.
For more information: Annual Appointments and Meetings; Boards and Commissions service application form
Winter Parking Enforcement begins Nov. 1. 
A friendly reminder that Winter Parking Enforcement runs from Nov. 1 to March 31. Regardless of weather conditions, no parking is allowed on any city street or alley during the winter months between the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Violators will be ticketed and possibly towed.
Winter Sump Pump Water Discharge
To avoid creating ice hazards for pedestrians and motorists, residents are requested to move sump pump discharge hoses away from sidewalks and roadways to the edge of road right-of-way, so water drains onto your lawn or yard.
To prevent water from pooling on properties and creating a nuisance for neighbors, it is recommended residents move their discharge hoses frequently so the water can be absorbed faster into the soil.
The City of Foley Code of Ordinances Section 1100 defines a public nuisance as anything that endangers the public safety. This includes anything that interferes with, obstructs, or renders dangerous for passage, any public highway or right-of-way, or waters used by the public.
For more information: Please contact Foley City Hall at 320-968-7260.
Foley City Code Allowing for ATVs and UTVs on City Streets Now Available Online
Section 1015 of the Foley City Code allowing for ATVs and UTVs on city streets has been updated online. The change was passed by the City Council on June 4 and went into affect upon publication on June 18. You can read the full ordinance at the link below.
For more information: Section 1015 – ATVs, Special Vehicles and Snowmobiles
In a 4-1 decision, the Foley City Council approved the city’s Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan during the April 2, 2019, council meeting. Mayor Gerard Bettendorf and the council expressed appreciation to city staff and to everyone in attendance for their participation in the public hearing. The next step is for the City to submit the approved facility plan to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
For more information: Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion
Safe Routes to School
The City of Foley is kicking off our Safe Routes to School planning efforts! The city received a Planning Assistance grant from MnDOT earlier this year to help convene a team, prioritize strategies, and identify solutions.
Minnesota Safe Routes to School is an effort to improve walking and bicycling conditions for our youth and encourage more active lifestyles. Read more about how you can participate on our Safe Routes to School page.
Automatic Withdrawal Payment Option
The Automatic Withdrawal Payment option allows you to pay your water bill directly from a checking or savings account through automatic withdrawal. To set up the direct payment option, please print out the form below and mail to City Hall along with a voided check/deposit slip.
Please Note:
- Automatic withdrawal customers will still receive copies of their water/sewer bill in the mail every quarter.
- The bill will be clearly marked with the message, “DO NOT PAY – DIRECT PAYMENT.”
- Please remember to update your account records to show you have paid your bill.
City of Foley One-Time Dog Licenses Available at City Hall
Foley residents are required to purchase a $20.00 one-time dog license that is good for the life of the dog.
- Dog license is a one-time $20 fee for the lifetime of the dog.
- License tags can be transferred to another dog for a $15 fee.
- Lost tags can be replaced for a $5 fee.
- No dog shall be permitted to run at large within City Limits.
- Dogs are required to be on a leash or under control at all times.
- Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dog.
- Owners are responsible for keeping dog up-to-date on rabies vaccination.
- Owners are responsible for updating their contact information.
Proof of current rabies vaccination is required at the time of issuing license. The new ordinance was passed at the March 7, 2017, City Council Meeting.
MN 23 Crash Reduction Project Update
Benton and Mille Lacs Counties – Law Enforcement are conducting extra patrol efforts with the goal of reducing fatal crashes on Highway 23 in both counties. Involved in the enforcement project are Benton County Sheriff’s Department, Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Department, Foley Police Department, Milaca Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol.
For more information:MN 23 Crash Reduction Project Update (Feb. 24, 2017) ; WCCO Interview with Chief McMillin and Sheriff Heck
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