At the December 17 meeting, the Rushford Village Council unanimously approved setting the final 2025 budget and levy. The preliminary was set at a 9% increase in September and the council discussion considered everything from 5% to 9%. The council ultimately reduced the final to just a 7%, or $572,450, increase over the levy of $535,000 in 2024.
Reviewing the differences between actual and projected receipts and disbursements for the year, City Clerk Mary Miner and Treasurer Judy Graham highlighted areas of surplus and concern. As it currently stands, $85,000 will carry over from 2024, but $35,000 of that is earmarked for Certificates of Deposit (CDs) that will be set aside for future needs. It’s also worth noting that the city doesn’t receive its second tax disbursement from the county until June 2025 and there are always unexpected costs.
“$297,000 will be spent between January to June next year,” said Graham. “We’ll have an $85,000 cushion before we get into next year’s budget. It’s a good sized budget cushion, so I don’t think we need to worry.”
“Mary does a lot of work trying to figure out the in-between of what can happen or what will happen or has happened in the past,” added Graham. “She does a good job.”
“In the past, we tried to cut down from the preliminary if possible,” noted Mayor Dennis Overland. “It’s usually the worst case scenario of where we need to spend.”
“At some point down the road, we need to address some things that aren’t in there at all,” said Councilor Mike Ebner. “Policing is one. It’s something that needs to be addressed.”
The council also unanimously approved the proposed CD purchases. According to Graham, previous councils opted to set aside $100,000 for various areas with amounts accounted for each based on historical needs. The new amount suggested for 2025 is $35,000.
“We have a lot of new equipment. We have a little time to start putting aside, but there are some things we need to be on top of,” said Graham.
Previous amounts included $25,000 for road grader needs, $12,000 for road and mowing equipment, $25,000 for bridges, $2,000 for parks, and $20,000 for office equipment. Additional was set aside for a new Public Works truck, but the money is now in place to get a truck in 2025, so Graham suggested skipping setting aside that for 2025. She also suggested modifying the road and mowing equipment to $6,000 for now since that equipment is also newer, reducing the office equipment to just $2,000. The road grader and parks amount will remain the same.
The Personnel Committee of Councilors Bob Hart and Rick Ruberg recommended to the council the city approve a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for city employees in 2025. For budgeting purposes, the city had considered up to a 3.5% COLA increase and one step increase for its three employees. One reason for the decision is the offering of health insurance to employees in 2025.
Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo asked whether there was an option for an increase if health insurance is not taken, but Overland noted there is not. Ebner asked whether it was noted anywhere that Chiglo would get a step increase with the completion of acquiring various licenses. Hart noted it was part of the agreement in hiring Chiglo that he would obtain the licenses. The council approved the recommendation unanimously.
Also relating to employee compensation, Miner asked whether the Earned Sick and Safe Time mandated by the Minnesota Department of Labor for employees could be added back into accounting through Personal Time Off in the system. She noted it would need to be changed in the employee guide, but it would make accounting more efficient.
The council unanimously approved sending a letter to Representative Greg Davids letter regarding Department of Natural Resources land in the village. The main point from the council is that land sold to the state within the village should not be included in the Fillmore County land sale study.
In other news, the council passed a number of annual agreements. They include the Gundersen Health 2025 Occupational Health Services Agreement, Gundersen Health 2025 Hearing Conservation Service Agreement, and Affirm Drug Testing – after hours drug testing. They also passed the resolution for Fillmore County Voter Comp, allowing the county to get reimbursed by the state.
Please note, there is no council meeting on January 7.
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