After lengthy discussion regarding the preliminary budget, the city council directed City Treasurer Pam Richter to hold the city mill levy at .435. This is 43 and one half cents per $100 of taxable valuation.

As an example, with a $100,000 home valuation, you can figure out your portion of taxes that go to the city using the following equation. Take that $100,000 divide it by $100 and times it by .435. The tax for the city is $435 a year. This is the portion of the taxes that go to city services. This breaks down to $1.19 a day for city services. City services include things like Police and Fire Departments, swimming pools and so on.

Before agreeing on the mill levy hold, the council discussed several ways that the budget could be decreased. Although all options were suggestive purely, they were still offered. Council member Scott Haun said he knew of other towns operating with smaller police forces. He added that those forces had officers work on an on-call basis through some shifts.

As a citizen I do not want this, Haun said. But, we need to look at all options.

Although understanding of council’s desire to hold the levy, City Administrator Harold Farrar told them this may be difficult to do.

“Holding the line is understandable, but I am not sure we can do it,” Farrar said.

He said that, at current, sales tax revenue is projected to be down by an estimated $18,000 over last year. Also expected to be down is property tax revenue. The decrease there is estimated at $40,000.

He said that to make up for these losses the city would have to dip into their cash reserves. He further added that these are only two examples of projected revenue decreases.

“If we keep the current cash reserves it puts us behind the eight ball,” Farrar said.

Council president Ann Warner suggested cross training city employees and a hiring freeze to avoid excessive hiring. Farrar maintained that city workers do cross into other fields as needed and that there is not much room to cut staff presently.

Kimball Resident Christy Selves commented that if she knew the city was working on cutting expenses, she would be more understanding about a tax increase.



“As a taxpayer,” Selves said,”if my taxes are going to go up, I would like to see what the city is doing to be thrifty with that money.”



Councilmember Kim Christensen asked if the city was doing everything possible to limit tax increases and cuts. Farrar replied that the best way to avoid both is continued growth. He attributed that growth to advertising. Farrar also conceded that the city has not been advertising what they are doing to keep taxes as low as possible.



“I guess we are just not that good t lowing our own horn,” Farrar said.



Mayor James Schnell reminded that council that with the roofing crews in town as well as Blattner Energy, sales tax revenue should increase. He agreed with Farrar about growing, but also urged the council to continue finding ways to cut expenses.



In other council news, John Morrison, representing the Farmer’s Day Committee, sought city street closures and use of city property for the Farmer’s Day celebration. He requested closure of Chestnut from First to Third streets and most of Second Street as well as some of Walnut.



Morrison explained that this year the town’s 125th anniversary will be held in conjunction with Farmer’s Day.



There will be the traditional celebration including a parade and much of the entertainment happening downtown.



However, the committee is seeking use of the Event Center and Gotte Park for some activities, which are planned for the entire weekend. Morrison also said he planned on seeking Keno funds to offset the expense in the future.



A full schedule of events will be printed as the weekend approaches.



“I have not been so excited over Farmer’s Day in a long time. Thank you,” Christensen proclaimed after Morrison’s description of planned festivities. The request was granted in a unanimous decision.



A mobile home permit was granted to Terry Jefferson for 210 S. Oak St. Before voting on the permit the council commented about the clean up efforts on the property. Schnell said that all guidelines had been met and that Jefferson had done a god job of cleaning up the property.



Greg Reinninger, of Greg’s Grub Steakhouse and Grille, submitted an application to extend his liquor license to include an outdoor beer garden. After some discussion concerning the requirements the council approved the application with Warner abstaining. Warner has a financial interest in the restaurant.



With nothing further on the agenda, the meeting adjourned.