After a lengthy discussion and several adjustments, the Whalan City Council approved the final tax levy for 2024. Present at the December 12 regularly scheduled council meeting were Mayor David Hallum, councilmembers Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe, Kim Berekvam and Owen Lewis (via Zoom) along with City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell.
The agenda was approved with two additions. The council also approved the Minutes of the November 13 public hearing and regularly scheduled council meeting, as well as the Treasurer’s Report.
New Business
Diane Snyder and Jae Julianne have agreed to stay on the Planning and Zoning Committee through 2026.
Resolution 2023-13 Appointing Members of the Planning & Zoning Committee was approved by the council.
A fireproof file cabinet will be purchased. Grossell will research options and report her findings to the council at the January council meeting.
The Zoning Committee inquired as to the planned city council meetings for 2024 so they can plan their committee meetings accordingly. The council plans to continue meeting the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in 2024.
The city of Whalan has received a $5,000 grant from SEMAC for a Music in the Bluffs series to be held on June 8, July 20 and August 17, 2024. Jane Lewis did the majority of the work applying for the grant. The council will begin the process of finding musical entertainment for the Saturday evening concerts. More information will be provided in the coming months.
The city of Whalan was notified by the Fillmore County Land Use Department of a Fillmore County Public Hearing pertaining to zoning amendments. The public hearing will be held on December 21 at the Fillmore County Courthouse, starting at 7 p.m. More information can be found on the city’s website.
Continued Business
After discussing line items on the proposed 2024 Final Tax Levy, the council made a few adjustments before approving the tax levy which must be submitted by December 29.
Resolution 2023-12 Approving Final 2024 Tax Levy, in the amount of $64,613 was approved.
Miscellaneous
Grossell notified the council that the letters of support for the road improvement project were included with the grant submission.
Grossell reported that the Workers Compensation Audit has been completed and submitted. She will inform the council of the results of the audit when received.
Grossell also informed the council that the city has been contacted by the Social Security Administration, stating that the documents that were submitted for the city of Whalan from the 2022 Federal Tax Report do not match the W-2s that were submitted. Grossell will look into the situation to find the issue and report her findings to the council.
Payment has not been received for the hall rental on October 20.
Payment was received for the $750 invoice to the residents at 114 First Ave.
The city of Whalan’s voicemail message will be updated so residents know that it will always be answered by voicemail. If a return call is necessary, Grossell will make the return phone call.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held on January 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the Whalan Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
For more information visit the City of Whalan website at cityofwhalan.weebly.com, or call the Whalan City Office at (507) 467-2212.
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