In the Heart of Minnesota's Vacation and Recreational Area

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

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AKELEY CITY COUNCIL

WORK SESSION

NOVEMBER 10, 2008

7:00 PM CITY HALL

 

AGENDA

  

1.         Call Meeting to Order

2.         Discuss Auditor Options

3          Work on 2009 Budget

4.         Adjourn

 

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AKELEY CITY COUNCIL

WORK SESSION

NOVEMBER 10, 2008

7:00 PM CITY HALL

 

MINUTES

 

The Akeley City Council met in a work session Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:00 PM. Acting Mayor Brian Hitchcock called the meeting to order.  Members present were Brian Hitchcock, Eric Sjolin, Cliff Johnson and Frank Lamb. 

 

Denise Rittgers stated that since she was informed that Miller McDonald, Inc. will not be the City’s Auditor this coming year, she contacted and received a three year proposal from Mathias C. Justin LTD.  Suggestions of other possible auditors were made by council members and will be contacted by Denise.

 

The Council reviewed the preliminary 2009 Budget which they had approved in September to send to Hubbard County.  Denise Rittgers stated that $1,220 was added into the General Account Income under “Professional Fees” since the previous number which had been calculated was based on 11 months rather than 12 months.

 

The Council went through the General Account to see if any changes could be made.  A suggestion was made to lower multi-peril insurance from $8,000 to $5,000 since the cost budgeted was the total cost of the insurance and the cost is divided among the different departments.  For the same reason, the amount budgeted for payroll and city auditor was lowered from $8,200 to $5,000.  The General Levy Amount would change from $89,503 to $83,303 with these changes.

 

The Council went through the Maintenance Account to see if any changes could be made.  Suggestions for changes were to lower operating supplies from $1,000 to $500; lower telephone from $1,250 to $850; change cell phone from $350 to $500; lower publishing and legal notices from $500 to $300; lower misc. repairs from $1,000 to $500; change equipment repairs from $2,000 to $4,000; change equipment purchases from $10,000 to $4,000; and change road maintenance from $3,000 to $5,000 changing the subtotal from $73,320 to $69,870.  Under Street Lighting suggested changes were to lower electric utilities from $11,000 to $10,000 and to add multi-peril insurance at $550 changing the subtotal from $11,000 to $10,500.  The Special Projects amount for Highway 34 Project 2011 remained at $5,000.  The Maintenance Levy Amount would change from $89,320 to $85,420 with these changes.

 

The Council went through the Police Account to see if any changes could be made.  Suggestions for changes were to lower vehicle gas and oil from $6,000 to $5,000; lower operating expense from $1,000 to $750 and to change radio units/cell phones from $700 to $1,500.  The Police Levy amount would change from $75,110 to $74,660 with these changes.

 

The Total Levy with the above changes would be lowered from $255,153 to $243,383, a difference of $11,770.

 

Eric Sjolin read a letter of personnel and police related recommendations that he suggested should be implemented to significantly reduce the budgeted amount set for 2009.  A copy of his recommendations is on file at City Hall.    

 

Motion by Frank Lamb seconded by Brian Hitchcock and carried to adjourn at 9:20 PM.

 

Denise Rittgers                                                                                    Wendy Klein

Clerk/Treasurer                                                                                    Deputy Clerk

City of Akeley                                                                                      City of Akeley