At the July 1 meeting, the Rushford Village Council welcomed Bill Sherry from Engleson & Associates. Sherry presented the summary findings of the 2024 audit. The village was issued a clean audit. Limited segregation of duties was noted as a risk, as is noted annually.
“There’s not a whole lot going on,” said Sherry.
Total cash and investments increased $100,000 last year. Liability-wise, the village continues to pay down debts. The General Funds debt balance is $524,000 at a low rate of 1.6%. Utility debts include a $134,000 debt for the Water Fund and a $46,000 debt for the Sewer Fund.
“There’s not a whole lot of incentive to pay it down early,” noted Sherry.
A few highlights on the General Fund included state aid changes such as the loss of public safety aid, which was provided previously, but the addition of small cities assistance.
On the expenditure side, street maintenance was $100,000 less than a year ago. Ice and snow removal for Public Works was also much less this past winter.
“It’s a pretty big decrease on that side,” added Sherry.
While the village’s Water Fund remains strong, the Sewer Fund is operating at a deficit of approximately $13,000.
“Not only are you not funding the bills, you’re not putting anything else aside for the future,” he cautioned.
Another major liability is the part of the state pension fund. The pension liability for the year was roughly $64,000.
“That can be a big swing year to year,” noted Sherry.
There were no questions from the council, but they agreed a rate study should be considered and City Clerk Mary Miner suggested the village bring in financial and project consultant Mike Bubany of David Drown Associates.
“Sewer tends to get forgotten by every municipality. At least do a comparable rate study,” concluded Sherry.
In other news, the village is making do with no Public Works staff since the resignation of the last supervisor, Trenten Chiglo, last month. With recent storms, village council members, volunteers, and some help from Chiglo on specific tasks, the village managed to keep up with road washouts and downed trees. Councilor Mike Ebner and resident Duane Miner are the most active and the council approved paying them at the part-time rate.
“These guys have been lifesaving here. We probably still will need more help,” said Mayor Dennis Overland.
Part of that help will also be coming from a monthly contract with retired Peterson Public Works Director Rick Lee. The village is required to have someone with licensure do weekly wastewater sampling and both monthly and quarterly reporting to the state. Lee will be contracted for $250 per month until a new Public Works supervisor, with licensure, can be hired.
There are now seven applications for the position of Public Works supervisor, according to City Clerk Mary Miner. The council urged the Personnel Committee, who are Councilors Bob Hart and Rick Ruberg, get started with interviews immediately. Clerk Miner will also sit in on the interviews to discuss the financial aspects.
Ebner provided a detailed update on several Public Works issues. First up, the Freightliner truck is in for differential repairs. The cost is $7,014 and will include state Department of Transportation inspection, among other things. The new 550 truck arrived last week and is headed in for scheduled installation of additional equipment. In reviewing the specs, it was found that there was no box on the back for tools and miscellaneous gear. The cost to install a 30-inch box is $835, which the council approved. All other equipment is undergoing evaluation at this time.
There have been a few ongoing water issues. Both chemical machine pumps recently went out and they were repaired, however the well pumps and chemical pumps are not communicating, so NES is looking into electrical problems. The storm water lift station on Goodrich Street went out six months ago and Ebner had STS Plumbing and Heating look into it. One pump is out, one has a bad seal, and there is a short in one cord. The pumps work in parallel, according to Ebner. One is now working while a repair order will be coming on the other. MN Pump Works looked at all three lift station pumps. One was damaged beyond repair and the other two were sent out for repair quotes. The council voted to junk the pump with the more expensive quote and rebuild the other. The cheaper quote for repair is $828, far less than the $4,000 cost of a new pump.
The companies did tell the village that when a new Public Works supervisor comes on board, they are willing to help train them on the various items.
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