At the September 3 meeting, the Rushford Village council learned that the current budget is sitting surprisingly well. However, having unexpected expenses crop up the last few years, there’s some palpable uncertainty.
City Clerk Mary Miner presented an updated 2025 budget for the council to review. It includes health insurance costs, $24,000 for the follow-up of the maintenance shed updating, road chip sealing, a 450 truck for Public Works, and expected increases to all contracts including Community Economic Development Associates and Harter’s Quick Clean Up. A three percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and wage step increase for city employees, as well as $2,000 towards the severance pay fund that’s been recommended. A salary for a potential part-time Public Works maintenance worker is also included for 10 hours per week for eight months at $15 per hour.
“It’s better to budget on the high side,” noted Mayor Dennis Overland. “It’s a lot easier to come down.”
The proposed budget indicates the village will receive $691,529 next year, but will have $724,343 in disbursements. This is a difference of $32,814.
“That’s not the way you want to see it,” noted Miner.
Right now, according to Miner, the 2024 financials show $629,177 in receipts and $401,429 in disbursement. The levy in 2024 was $535,000.
“What does a normal September to December look like?” asked Overland.
“We’re okay. It’s normally not like this,” responded Miner. “I hate to say we’re good and then something blows up.”
“I don’t think any expenses are going to be going down,” added Councilor Bob Hart.
“I just want to make sure we clean up some of these big projects,” cautioned Councilor Mike Ebner.
The council will set the preliminary levy at the next meeting. The council set the annual Truth in Taxation meeting for December 3 at 6:45 p.m. at city hall.
During the Planning & Zoning discussion, administrator Jon Pettit was questioned by Ebner regarding upcoming meetings. Pettit stated there hasn’t been a meeting for two months due to lack of quorum. The current Planning & Zoning Board members include Pettit, Hamilton Peterson, Glen Kopperud, Gordon Johnson, and Jesse McNamer, according to the village website. Pettit acknowledged that three were out of town for the last meeting and at the meeting prior to that, one member was ill and another was out of town for work.
Ebner asked whether the lack of meeting was something the village needed to address. It was noted that members cannot miss a specific number of meetings, either three in a year or three in a row, but the council was unclear which.
“If going with the recommendation to kick them off at three, but I’ve got no one to go on,” said Pettit, noting the difficulty in finding people to serve. “A once a month meeting isn’t a particular priority for them. They can schedule things on over the top without knowing it.”
The board does need to discuss recent interest in several properties. Pettit noted these are unique and he’s invited some individuals to speak to these at the next meeting. One item includes a potential new subdivision, although nothing’s been brought forward yet.
Pettit did alert the council that a previously approved permit for Featherstone Farms to make significant improvements will be in place as the project gets underway. According to Pettit, owner Jack Heddin applied for several program grants and they were approved.
A Public Works update detailed by Miner for Chiglo, who wasn’t in attendance, showed a lot of recent work on cleaning up trees on seven roads, ditch work on Aspen Road, and lots of ditch mowing. There have been no further issues with the lift station.
The council approved two regular agenda items: the parking of guests to the September 21 Featherstone Farms customer appreciation along one side of village streets, and two zoning variance requests for a shed from Branden Johnson. Both were approved unanimously.
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