November Council Minutes reflect Budget Hearing

A. Public Hearing on the 2013 Operating Budget. Wietecha directed Council to his memo outlining the adjustments proposed for the budget ordinance. He noted that there is a $2,735 “placeholder” in the expenses to keep the budget balanced. Jacobson asked if the new fire truck was included in the budget and Wietecha responded that the dollar amount in the city’s budget for the Fire District is the amount from their budget. Hayes received clarification that there is no new squad budgeted for the Police Department but the cameras are included. Decker opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. There were no public comments and Decker closed the public hearing at 6:44 p.m. Braunschweig thanked city staff for their work on the budget. He added that the Council has been doing a good job on the budgets, something not common in other municipalities. Decker suggested using the $2,735 for either the rail study, as the amount budgeted will be short, or for the purchase of trees to replace the ash trees that will need to be removed due to the emerald ash borer. Braunschweig presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Hayes to approve Ordinance 2012-13, Adopting 2013 Operating and Capital Budgets and Setting Tax Levies.