Village Issues with First Storm

At the December 2 meeting, Rushford Village Council Councilor Mike Ebner informed the council that with the first big storm of the season, there was an issue with the Freightliner truck, which is relatively new to the public works department. It was purchased in May 2022 from Dave Syverson Truck Center. This is an ongoing issue for the village as the old Freightliner truck had front end issues in December 2021, while the village was awaiting delivery of the new truck.

This is the second time the front end on the truck has gone out on the new truck. Just four months ago, the village paid for new parts for it and according to Ebner, they’re already shot. One of the issues is that there are no parts available for it and that they need to be fabricated. This work could take as long as two months, which in the middle of storm season, is less than ideal. While under warranty, Ebner indicated the parts company is putting up something of a fight citing partial driver error.

“We’re working with the truck company on the warranty side of it. Now, there’s finger pointing on the warranty,” said Ebner. “Severson seems really good. Their issue right now is trying to get the front end company to hold up to the warranty side of it.”

There is a possibility of rental or lease of another truck in the interim. Severson Truck Center, who received the truck initially from the dealer and did some custom fabrications before it arrived in Rushford, is conducting an evaluation of the truck. Severson and Universal Truck Equipment, who provided additional equipment, are assisting the village in seeking a standby truck.

Without the Freightliner, the 550 truck may need to do double duty, but this presents other issues with not being wide or deep enough as a plow for rural roads. The village already ran into issues with the storm and the 550 sliding into a ditch.

“The first go-around was really nasty,” added Ebner.

Further questions from the council included whether or not the dealer will cover the added costs of leasing a standby and any legal ramifications related to the warranty.

The council did unanimously approve two additional details related to recent employee pay discussions. According to City Clerk Mary Miner, Human Resources Consultant Paul Ness drafted a policy for the village regarding Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law, which takes effect on January 1, 2026. The law provides up to 20 weeks of paid leave per year for eligible employees. The new policy will be updated in the employee guide.

The second action was revision of the Holiday Pay Plan regarding eligible part-time employees. Miner indicated that there was a conflict in the terms related to partial employment and regularly scheduled hours. Eligible part-time employees will get up to eight hours if scheduled on holidays.

Lastly, the council once again revisited the 2026 budget and levy ahead of setting the final figures at the December 16 meeting. Undetermined items include whether or not the Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) contract will be renewed for 2025 and what designation the village will be set at for the new PFML law. As of the meeting, the CEDA contract remained in the budget and the budget included the higher payment designation for PFML.

The village will likely renew Certificates of Deposit in the amounts of $25,000 (roads) and $61,000 (road and bridge improvement). However, Miner and City Treasurer Judy Graham indicated no decision on CDs is made until the end of the year.

“It still depends on what money is left at the end of the year, if we can do this,” cautioned Miner.

The proposed budget and levy were set at a 14.5% increase. With planned reductions, it looks like the final will be closer to 5.77%. If the CEDA contract is not renewed, that amount drops to just over 5%.

“I hate to drop that $61,000, but I also like to keep our taxes low in the village, especially where we were in the past,” said Councilor Travis Link.

“The big thing is to start putting it away,” urged Miner.

“The problem is the price on this stuff doesn’t go down, but we need to start trying anyway,” added Ebner.