City Administrator Joe Hoffman began by noting one adjustment in the budget that will not affect the levy increase at the December 16 city council meeting.
While working with Mike Bubany on the update to the capital financing plan, they determined that the $22,000 allocation for the storm water fund was no longer needed in 2020. The storm water fund balance will be positive by the end of 2020. Staff suggested the $22,000 levy allocation be moved to the street fund in 2020 to go toward an expected 2021 street project.
The 2020 budget was then approved as presented. A final levy resolution approving the 2019 tax levy, collectable in 2020 was adopted. The total 2020 levy will be $985,130 representing an increase of $43,084 over last year or a 4.57% increase.
CEDA Contract
The EDA has recommended paying CEDA more to have the services of Cathy Enerson for an additional three days per month. This would have her in Preston two days per week. Councilwoman Holly Zuck said the additional time is needed. The extra cost including the 3% cost of living increase for 2020 will be about $12,400. The total contract will be $43,625.
Mayor Kurt Reicks stated that CEDA does a great job for us. Enerson said she will be working on a job fair, housing planning, and the need for child care expansion.
The additional cost will be offset in part by a $4,000 grant and a $1,000 pledge from Andy Bunge. The rest of the added cost will come out of the EDA Development Fund. The contract was approved as presented. Councilman Robert Maust voted no.
Other business in brief
•Jeff Broberg presented a year end report for the National Trout Center. Thirteen hundred members are now on the mailing list. The center’s focus has expanded beyond trout to outdoor recreation. He admitted fund raising efforts have not been as successful as they had hoped. They are intending to broaden fundraising to other communities and do programs in some communities outside of Preston. The NTC account balance is less than it was a year ago.
The organization has grown to the point that they need some help more than volunteers. Plans include hiring an executive director, half-time, year round (1,000 hours/year). They are looking forward to another great year and will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Some grant requests have been submitted. Broberg said the NTC is a good image for Preston.
•Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton recommended a rate change for 2020. The rate was last increased in 2016. The proposal will have only one billable rate for all patients transported, instead of two tiers. An increase of $50 for non-transports and a $100 increase for BLS and ALS calls were approved.
•Only one quote was received for the official newspaper. The News Leader/Bluff Country Reader was approved as the official newspaper.
•Only one quote was received for city attorney. Option 2 from Luhmann Law, LLC with an annual retainer of $19,440 was approved. This represented no change from 2019.
•Since Trout City is already paying $950 in liquor license fees to the city, the council decided to include off-sale (for the sale of growlers) in the liquor license fee, waiving any additional off-sale fee.
•Fillmore County Public Health has offered to cost share on the installation of a solar powered radar speed sign for the city. The city’s portion of the cost is $1,000. The county will be using funding from Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grants. The police department recommended approval. The council approved submitting an application to the county. Councilman David Collett voted no.
•The fire department’s application for grant funds for turnout gear washer extractor has been approved in the amount of $4,949.99. The gear washer has been purchased.
•The second half transfer from the EDA development incentive to the NTC in the amount of $2,250 was approved. Next year the proposed payment will total $3,000 in two $1,500 payments.
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