The Chatfield City Council, at their March 27 meeting, acknowledged the receipt of a notice of retirement from City Administrator Joel Young and approved the recommendation to retain DDA Human Resources, Inc. to search for his replacement. Councilor Mike Urban was absent.
Young intends for the retirement to be effective sometime between mid-July and mid-September 2023. He has served the city for 32 years. DDA will assist the city in a search for a city administrator to find the best candidates and to get the best fit for Chatfield. The fee is $23,000 and covers all costs related to the search process.
2022 audit
Jason Boynton, Smith-Schafer & Associates, reviewed a financial summary for the city of Chatfield as of December 31, 2022. The city was issued an unmodified “clean” audit opinion for 2022.
The tax capacity of the city increased over 2021, demonstrating growth. The Local Government Aid (LGA) increase was less than 1%. General government expenditures increased about 4%. The unassigned General Fund balance as a percentage of next year’s General Fund property tax levy and LGA for 2022 was 61.5%, or 56% if ARPA funds received in 2022 are excluded.
The Capital Goods unrestricted fund balance was $926,575. This fund is available to fund items in the capital replacement plan. Boynton noted the city does a good job planning for capital purchases.
Payments are being made in a timely manner on all debt. Young praised Boynton and his staff on their work in completing the audit.
The 2022 audit was accepted as presented.
Other business in brief
• The second consideration and publication of Ordinance 465 Administrative Code were both approved. The publication will be a summary of the Administrative Code.
• Brian Burkholder reported that street sweeping will begin on April 3. Highway 30 going west out of Chatfield will be closed beginning on April 17 for work on the replacement of two bridges, one near town and one near Cummingsville. The project is expected to be concluded by September.
• Due to an increase in the tipping fee from $75 per ton to $120 per ton, the recycling fees for residents will be increased from $6.62 per month to $7.79 per month.
• Citywide spring clean-up is scheduled for May 8.
• Approval was granted to purchase a chemical sprayer for the purpose of weed control, so the city can spray its own properties and not have to contract out the work.
• An engagement letter with David Drown & Associates as the city’s Municipal Financial Advisor was approved, submitted by Mike Bubany.
• A letter of support regarding the Driftless Hiking Trail was approved.
• The city council will meet next on April 10.
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