By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
With the end of the year fast approaching and one remaining meeting to finalize the 2017 General Fund Budget and tax levy, the New Richland City Council discussed ideas for lowering the total increase percent during its second meeting of the month on Monday, November 28.
As it stands, the budget is $868,206, a .966% increase from 2016, with a $398,681 tax levy, an 8.91% increase. The overall consensus of the council members was that they’d like to see the levy increase closer to 6-7%, which is more in line with the county average of roughly a 6% increase.
The budget currently includes $80,609 in reserve for street work and $28,202 for a new one-ton pickup for the Maintenance Dept. The possibility of cutting some of the funds or putting them off until next year was debated, with City Clerk Wayne Billing suggesting cutting back road work in the hope that the state will reinstate the small cities grant, which New Richland received $20,000 for in 2015.
The position of chief of police was also discussed, including the cost-saving benefits of contracting the position with Waseca County. It was mentioned that Lake Crystal has taken a similar route, contracting their chief of police position with Blue Earth County at about half the cost of employing a police chief through the city.
St. Olaf Lake was another topic of scrutiny, costing the city $25,401 for 2017 while bringing in a revenue of $3,575. If wages were cut from the budget it would save $14,142, but would remove the lifeguards and swimming lessons at the lake.
“I think we should try to cut back where possible,” said councilperson John Hullopeter.
Mayor Gislason agreed, adding, “I’m not totally comfortable with 8.91 percent.”
Health insurance was briefly discussed, and it was mentioned that including the employees at the care center, the number of city employees is large enough to require that health insurance be provided. The council will finalize the budget during the next meeting on Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. If a decision cannot be reached at that time, a special meeting will have to be held in December.
Brad Field presented the PeopleService report, stating that the weather has been good for finishing fall maintenance projects around the Wastewater Treatment Facility and hauling/land spreading of bio-solids. Flows coming into the facility are down from September but remain slightly high, likely to result in further I & I (inflow and infiltration) of suspect sources of sump pumps and foundation tiles. The second I & I project, located at the intersection of 4th St. SW and Broadway Ave. S, will soon be complete. It was noted that the sulfur dioxide pump at the treatment facility will need to be inspected and possibly repaired. The report was approved.
Don Alexander presented the care center report, stating that the center has a census of 45, with one resident in the hospital returning Dec. 1. The center has hired a new program manager to begin Dec. 12 working with residents with behavioral issues without the use of medications. It is hoped that this new hire will help restore the facility to a five-star rating, as it is currently rated three stars. Purchase requests included a yearly PBJ (Payroll-Based Journal) contract at a cost of $600/year plus a $700 initial fee, $800 to update the policy in accordance with changes to the Affordable Care Act taking effect Nov. 28, and $1,423.69 to repair the Wanderguard system, all approved. The report was approved.
The maintenance report was reviewed, and a purchase request for two new pickup tires at a cost of $728 was approved. The report was approved, and the meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.