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By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
At last Monday’s meeting, the NRHEG Board of Education approved a New Members Orientation Plan designed by a special committee last month, to help get new school board members Dan Schmidt, Karen Flatness and Neil Schlaak up to speed on all the new administrative machinery that’s been put in place in the last year.
Both Flatness and Schlaak have served terms on the board previously, but much of what they will be dealing with in the coming years is new.
Items to introduce to the new board members are:
• Strategic Plan
• Role of Board and Superintendent
• Board and Superintendent Goals
• School Board Meeting process and agenda
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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.
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The New Richland Lions annual pancake feed will be Sunday, Dec. 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at City Hall. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children age 5-17, preschool free. Proceeds will benefit the New Richland Flood Relief Fund.
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New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
During its first meeting of the month on Monday, Nov. 14, the New Richland City Council approved the interviewing of three, possibly four, applicants for the position of Chief of Police in December, with the results to be discussed at the regular Dec. 12 council meeting. A committee consisting of Councilperson John Hullopeter and Mayor Christine Gislason will conduct the interviews.
According to City Clerk Wayne Billing, New Richland was declared a disaster area on Nov. 2. As a result, the budget has been adjusted to include no increases for flood costs. Street, police and ambulance reserves have been increased, as well as funds added to cover the cost of spring cleanup and the purchase of a new truck for the Maintenance Dept.
Billing suggested the council consider raising wages of city employees by 10%. Billing referenced several graphs comparing New Richland’s salaries to those in other cities throughout the state. For highest administrative officer, or Billing’s job, New Richland was compared to 16 towns ranging in population from 1,008 (Bird Island) to 2,271 (Wells), with an average population of 1,480. New Richland has 1,198 residents.
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The Ellendale United Methodist choir has been busy preparing for a Christmas musical they plan to share with people of the area.
"A Time For Joy" will be presented Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1:15 p.m. at the Steele County History Center. Currently 22 people have been gathering for practice sessions.