The Scandia City Council voted 4-0 to certify a maximum 2015 levy of approximately $2.23 million, a 2.1 percent increase over the current year.
Council Member Jim Schneider was absent from the meeting Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Between Sept. 30, when the maximum levy must be certified with the Washington County auditor, and Dec. 31, when the final budget must be approved, the council can decrease the amount or decide to keep it the same but cannot increase it.
Property tax notices mailed in November are based on these preliminary figures.
A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.
A 40 percent increase in health insurance premiums added $11,000 to the budget. A $9,000 charge for organizing city code was debated at the previous work session but not cut because the council split 2-2. The budget includes new chairs for the council chambers but no new audio system and no council salary adjustments.
The Economic Development Authority budget request was set at $5,000, the capital improvement fund levy was reduced to $50,000, equipment replacement fund levy transfers were reduced to $20,000 and an additional $130,000 was shifted to the local road improvement fund levy.
After-hours calls
The council declined a request by public works director Tim Kieffer to compensate maintenance workers to be on call to respond to after-hours events such as downed trees on a road or septic system alarms. A weekly cost of $250 would add $13,000 to the annual budget.
Council Member Dan Lee recommended delaying the work until regular hours, and member Sally Swanson suggested using compensation time, such as letting an employee leave early on Friday after working one evening.
“It’s too late to put it in the budget for next year,” Council Member Chris Ness said. “Alternatives need to be looked at.”
Mayor Randall Simonson suggested a single pager be used on a rotation schedule.
Master fee schedule
City Administrator Kristina Handt presented a document prepared by treasurer Colleen Firkus that lists in one location all city charges, such as for building permits, gambling licenses and community center rental. Handt recommended adding certain new fees and enforcing some already on the books.
In case of a natural disaster, the city must have a fee schedule in place in order to apply for FEMA funds.
The next step is review by the city attorney.