2024 budgeting for the city of Rushford Village is sitting comfortably. At least much better than last year, according to City Clerk Mary Miner.
At the May 7 meeting, Councilor Rick Ruberg asked about the current standing after Miner presented the month’s financial report. Last year, as the village waited for the tax payment from the first half of the year from Fillmore County there was a large bond payment and several unexpected costs that pulled the purse strings notably tighter.
“Last year, at this time, we had $52,000 left in checking, so we’re sitting pretty good.” At that, Treasurer Judy Graham audibly shushed Miner, to which Miner quipped, “I know. About that time something blows up. We’re much better than we were last year.”
“That’s good,” responded Ruberg.
The account currently sits at $131,322. Estimated May expenses are $36,000 and estimated receipts are $11,500. At the end of June, the village will receive the anticipated first half of taxes for 2024.
The village held its annual road tour before the start of the regular meeting. According to Mayor Dennis Overland, the route followed Airport Road down to Deep River Road. Then, the tour proceeded to Gilbertson Road where the village has been waiting for the Department of Natural Resources to address road issues. From there, via Tower Ridge Road, they stopped at Village Road to look at bridge work undertaken by the county.
There were no comments from the council other than commendation for grading work done by Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo. A letter from residents also commended the village for the road work.
“We covered a lot of it in the road tour tonight,” said Chiglo. “Roads are good. It’s coming along good for spring grading. There are some spots that’ll need rock.”
Councilor Mike Ebner asked about the rock and rip rap status on County Line Drive. The road has seen plenty of erosion issues over the last few years. According to Chiglo, nothing has moved and it’s just a matter of ordering it.
Last month, the council opened the road rock bids, but some bid confusion left them with further questions. Bruening Rock Products and Milestone Materials provided the bids, but it wasn’t clear whether the terms and pricing in both bids for the 3,000 cubic yards of rock were comparable. Specifically, the council asked if they included delivery and spreading or just delivery and if Class 5 winter rock was available by delivery after October 31. Some questions were answered when they contacted the companies during the meeting, but the council ultimately tabled the decision until they provided more information.
At the time Councilor Travis Link noted the Milestone bid was roughly $2,720 cheaper overall. Councilor Rick Ruberg suggested that the village split the bid to keep all bidders honest in pricing and support a company with a first-time bid. After checking, Miner noted both companies do split rock bids in other cities and townships and would do so with the village. Bid pricing would remain the same.
“I like the fact that their prices won’t change and they’re both willing to work and do even half of it,” said Link. “That way, you can possibly save some money, but still keep your connections on both sides in case we need help on one side if the other one can’t. It gives you a way to get the best of both worlds in my opinion.”
“I’d like to try them out, but we’ve had really good rapport with Bruening and I don’t want to burn any bridges,” added Overland.
Further discussion indicated the village split orders in the past with one bid providing Class 2 road rock delivery and the Class 5 rock because there wasn’t a storage space. The council unanimously approved the splitting of the bids between Bruening and Milestone. Councilor Bob Hart was absent. Chiglo will work out how to split the bids as close to 50/50 as possible.
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