By Mari Radtke
Richard Ludeke offered public comments during that portion of the Archer City Council meeting on Tuesday March 8. The council agreed that it was appropriate for contact information of council members to be posted with other Archer public notices.
Council addressed the proposed 2022 fiscal year budget in its scheduled public hearing. There were no public comments presented. The basic $8.10 per $1000.00 of property valuation within the city of Archer was accepted to fund the city activities for the next year. The property valuation of Archer was set for the coming year at $4,174,368.00. That taxable value is an increase over the current fiscal year of nearly 65% and is largely due to the expansion of Archer Coop within the city limits. The base levy will produce $33,813 for city business. Other revenue sources for the city from other taxes, Intergovernmental or fees will bring the Archer 2022 revenue to a projected $90,901.00.
The fire department refit its tanker after working with the city and the townships to raise the revenue to pay for the project. Mayor Nathan Mueller will work with Tom Youngers of Carroll Township to resolve the payment structure with them.
The meeting began with two ordinances in various stages of approval. The ordinance changing the appointment period for vacancies to elected seats from 40 days to 60 days was adopted after its third reading. The official posting locations were adopted after its second reading on Tuesday evening.
Town and Country Disposal attended Tuesday to request that the pickup day of Archer be moved from Monday to Tuesday. The explanation for the request is due to changing workload. Town and Country recently lost the Primghar account making the run in Archer on Monday less efficient. It was reported that they are doing more vehicle maintenance on Mondays. The request was approved. The new collection schedule will begin April 6, 2021.
Bill Engelke reported that the furnace in the library area of the Community Center clogged and drained an approximately 8 foot spot of water on the library carpet. Stephen Meyer said he believed the Library Board will meet on March 16 to determine its reopening.
Mayor Mueller, at the beginning of the meeting, discussed how he felt the city may see better results in its effort for a large project [like a new community center] if they organize smaller events initially. He is looking toward a city wide clean up with a community event held to clean up the city park and ready it for summer activity.