By Mari Radtke
A special meeting by the Paullina City Council was held April 24 for the purpose of considering and approving a budget for the coming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. An approved budget must be submitted to the state no later than (this year due to state changes) April 30, 3023. Also on the special agenda was approval for the Chamber to have a food truck on East Broadway every other Monday through the summer.
Currently, budgeted street repairs are underway. Also unbudgeted spending is underway for necessary upgrades to the electric infrastructure, switchgear replacement and housing. The costs are being covered by current electric utility reserves. A revenue bond is expected to be issued to replace those funds.
A discussion to clarify the spending in budgeted versus unbudgeted funds resulted in Mayor Brenda Ebel Kruse stating, “Well, either way, an amendment for fiscal year ‘23 will happen next month, May, then that would have to happen then to finish off our year to July 1. And then what we’re doing in column 1 (referencing the proposed budget) is all for July 1. That’s year ‘24.
The resolution to pass the proposed budget ended in a 4-1 vote with Lexy Murphy dissenting. Her position to oppose the proposed budget was due to the absence of budget workshops for the city council to understand the spending behind the numbers.
Kelli Harms provided information on behalf of the Paullina Chamber about food trucks on Mondays only. Murphy verified in question form that the food trucks would be getting vendor permits. Harms replied hestitatingly, “The trucks themselves, I think, have those.” Ebel Kruse interjected that they are non profit like the church and school and things. A discussion of the requirements of the city ordinance for vendor permits followed. The question is who would be permitted, the chamber as the organizer or the truck as the vendor. The question of permits will be followed up on for future consideration.
The May 1 regular council meeting returned to the proposed budget. A second hearing date needed to be set. The city had not filed its Urban Renewal Report with the state, therefore the adoption of the budget for fiscal year ‘24 was invalid. A special meeting for May 15 was set for a second public hearing on the proposed budget, again on a 4-1 vote with Murphy opposing. An Urban Renewal report was made available to the council for consideration to accept. It had been due December 1, 2022. Ebel Kruse provided an overview of the various income and spending of tax dollars for the TIF districts. The Urban Renewal Report was passed 4-1 with Heeren opposing the motion. He had several questions not get clear answers.
Also discussed on May 1 Ebel Kruse presented to council “item 9, approve cost-share for sprinkler system boost pump for Swanson Sports Complex.” A contract proposal was presented to Council showing work and costs. Ebel Kruse further explained the background to the sprinkler system at Swanson. Murphy asked who made the requests. Ebel Kruse explained that the school’s athletic director made the request with some discussion with baseball coaches and grounds staff members. Murphy asked specifically about a board or 28E which Ebel Kruse explained only a contract or agreement with the South O’Brien School District existed or is all that could be found to share costs. Council approved paying half the costs for a new pump to assure water could reach the outfields at Swanson Sports Complex. The cost, without an electrician, is just under $1400.00. Councilpersons Steve Heeren and Carol Honkomp both expressed that spending last year or spending so far this year was unknown.
Jim Gengler spoke to Council about his negative experiences with two houses and sewer backups. He requested the city obtain a camera to inspect the sewer lines and determine for sure where the sewer problems actually exist. Council approved getting the selected sewer lines with known, repeated backup problems inspected with a camera.
The regular meeting on May 15 presented a surprise IRS claim for $22,848.45 for payroll deposits. The principal plus $1,187.35 of interest was eventually determined to be caused by a mistake made by the IRS. The federal taxing entity mistakenly deposited the principal amount of $21,661.10 to the city’s account. It is not clear if that was a credit to the city’s 941 account or cash to the city’s checking account. If it was a cash deposit it remains unclear why the deposit was not noticed and questioned. The matter is being resolved with discussion about the interest charges ongoing.
Ben Eldridge and Lucas Burmakow were approved for membership to the Paullina Fire Department.
The second proposed budget amendment hearing opened and received no public comments. The resolution to approve the FY ‘24 budget was introduced by Councilperson Jay Jones with a second by Jean Unrau. The resolution passed by 3-2. Heeren and Murphy opposed passing the resolution.
Kim Meyer attended the public meeting to request an extension to move items deemed to be a nuisance. She asked for a couple weeks to a month. Health issues in the household are limiting how quickly she can get a chicken coop, a dog house and kennel removed along with licensed, insured and operable vehicles moved. She was quickly given a 30-day extension.