Brownsville City Council members met Wednesday, September 3 at Brownsville Community Center. Mayor Jean Meyer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Council members briefly jumped to the Public Hearing; the resolution for Jerry Walhovd’s variance and building permit received approval. Walhovd needed approval as his structure would fall out of compliance. Afterword, City Clerk Steve Schuldt conducted role call where council members present included Barb Hurley, Pam Walhovd, David Prestby, and Mayor Meyer. Bill Fitzpatrick was absent. City employees present were Treasurer Jenna Knight, City Maintenance Dean Twite, and Schuldt. The Consent Agenda received approval, with Hurley abstaining on the minutes.
Residents Sarah Libbon, Judy Macejik, and Carlie Von Arx received approval for their building permit applications.
Old Business
Mayor Meyer informed that no update is available for the Class C Contract due to the consultant being ill.
New Business
Councilors then moved on to discuss the sewer budget in addition to the garbage/recycling fee increase for services. Mayor Meyer stated a potential $3 increase due to the current deficit. There are 272 residents for residential rates and nine for commercial rates. Treasurer Knight provided figures stating that for 2025, residential rates are $46 with commercial rates $53. The figures did not include the $0.55 increase for Richard’s Sanitation and environmental services. Meyer added that with a $3 increase the deficit will be cut by one-third. City Clerk Schuldt noted that the $3 increase will provide an additional $10,000; he specified that this was sewer only. Meyer questioned how to help the deficit problem. Schuldt responded that the city cannot keep going with the current rates. Councilor Prestby suggested a $4 increase. Meyer clarified residential rates will increase for both sewer and garbage, while commercial will only increase for sewer as the city does not maintain commercial garbage. Walhovd moved, seconded by Prestby, to raise both residential and commercial rates to $4. Residential’s $4 rate consists of the $3.45 sewer increase and the $0.55 garbage cost increase. Commercial’s $4 rate consists of only sewer. Motion carried. The rate increase will take effective immediately.
Schuldt offered a proposed levy increase of 6% which would equate to $185,288. If approved, the levy would allow roughly a $53,000 surplus. Councilors compared the current suggested 6% increase to prior years – in 2022 it had been 7%, 2023 – 5%, and 2024 – 10%. Schuldt specified the finalized levy can be set at a lower rate than proposed. Councilor Hurley recommended 10% instead of 6% in that the rate can go lower. In a 3-1 vote the council approved the proposed levy to be 10%. Walhovd opposed with preference for 8%. Motion carried.
Councilor Prestby moved, seconded by Walhovd, to approve the Houston County municipal resolution for the Highway 18 construction project. Motion carried. Hurley reassured the city of Brownsville is not picking up costs for this project.
Department Reports
Twite shared what he has been up to with City Maintenance. He is currently in limbo in regard to the broken guard rail on 2nd Street. RCT will put in lyft stations this fall. He is prepping the 2nd Street guard rails. The Bluffview Manor Apartments had a leaking hot water heater; the issue is resolved. Twite asked the council about including an ice rink this year. Council members happily agreed and thought such was a great idea. Ring & Run generously donated a bench, which the city placed in front of the post office. Unfortunately, the federal government proposed the bench’s removal due to it being on federal property. Twite removed the bench and placed it outside the Brownsville Community Center. In the audience, Carlie Von Arx publicly thanked Twite for his work with the bench.
Brownsville Fire Department’s Assistant Chief Brandon Frank informed the council the fire district meeting will be held Monday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at Brownsville Community Center. The townships want to review grants, rough draft of budget, and charitable gambling.
Treasurer Knight presented her monthly report and brought up the Ag Vantage-LP contract. Hurley moved, seconded by Walhovd, to approve the contract with the prepaid option. Motion carried.
Councilor Hurley suggested moving the permit deadline back so Knight is not doing everything pertaining to the permit last minute.
The council meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Leave a Reply