The Rushford Village council opted to continue its September 20 meeting to September 26 for the purpose of discussing the 2023 budget further. Mayor Dennis Overland and Councilor Roger Knutson were absent for the regularly scheduled meeting, so Mayor Pro Tem Mike Ebner headed up the agenda.
Councilor Bob Hart previously asked for additional information regarding funds, balances, and investments in determining the annual budget and levy. “This is different than we’ve previously seen. I like all the data on there,” he stated at the September 10 meeting. “It’s confusing, but it does help.” He suggested city staff consolidate multiple Certificates of Deposit (CDs) for various funds wherever possible.
City Treasurer Judy Graham noted that multiple CDs are utilized because of convenience when maturity times vary. The city receives a far better rate setting money aside in CDs than it does in savings accounts. Several funds have assigned balances designated for specific expenditures, which can further complicate the overall view of the balances. “American Rescue Funds are in the checkbook, but that’s a minus also because they’re earmarked for specific items,” she explained. Graham also pointed out that several CDs, such as with Water Fund, were required because of the bonding used to finance the various projects. All of the CDs are drawing interest daily.
“It would be nice to have a CD for each one,” said Hart. “This might take some time, but we should be able to get them all maturing at the same time. That way, if someone from the public wanted to see where things are at it could be all in one.”
The ability to set funding aside for operations, projects, and unexpected events is critical. “When I first started, we had to get loans. We didn’t have enough money to get from June to the next one,” added Graham.
City Clerk Mary Miner provided a summary of the monthly Community Economic Development Associates report from Rebecca Charles. Charles will have her first meeting with University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students regarding the ongoing trail study/development program. The council was encouraged to attend either in person or via zoom. The students will be in Rushford Village later this month. “There could potentially be five different ideas,” said Miner.
Hart requested a copy of the recent grant application, written and submitted by Charles for city projects, and the letter of denial from the United States Department of Agriculture. “I want to know why it was denied,” he noted.
Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit issued several permits during the month, including many still relating to the July 26 storm damage. He also addressed the council regarding a previous permit the city held as non-conforming.
“I drove by and the building has been dismantled and is off the slab. There’s nothing there,” he said. “I assume that would end the problem that we had and it would go no further. The slab is non-buildable and non-conforming. It’s been taken care of by going away.” The council took no action regarding the update.
In a roads update, Miner told the council that work on County Line Drive will begin next week. The city will be adding rip rap to hold the eroding roadway. Gilbertson Road has also started eroding. Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo has begun the permitting process with the Department of Natural Resources for the repairs.
The next meeting will be September 26, at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall. The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, October 4, at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall. Both meetings are open to the public.
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