Lind Town Council reviews proposed 2017 budget

The Lind Town Council reviewed a proposed 2017 budget, a three-year comparison fund totals for 2014-16 and the 2016 budget position during their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

The Council began their meeting with a public hearing to discuss the proposed 2017 budget.

Mayor Jamie Schmunk informed the council the town issued a decent amount of building permits and has currently collected $529.50 for 2016 and over $2,000 in animal licensing. Schmunk said due to the immense amount of licenses they provide for animals annually, she would like to budget accordingly based on previous year’s reports.

Deputy-Clerk Kim Michaels said around 177 dogs were registered in the town in 2016.

Schmunk also stated between the liquor excise tax and profit tax for liquor, the town has collected around $4,000.

The budget is fund-balance based, which includes the town’s current expense fund and expenditures, said Schmunk. The budget allows the Council to observe which areas the Town is making a profit from and where they are losing money, she explained.

Schmunk said the Town’s capital construction fund currently has $16,000 and they plan to continue placing 25 percent of the excise tax into the fund.

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development program, who the town has multiple loans and grants through, requires the town to keep a reserve fund with enough money to pay the bills for several months to continue in their programs.

The town has budgeted $70,000 for the fund over previous years.

Schmunk said before the next council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6, she would have a budget amendment based on the 2016 budget report and remaining funds.

Councilperson Kathy White asked Schmunk if she should expect any major changes to the 2017 budget. Schmunk said no major changes would occur, but she may include a line item for the new One Call emergency system the town recently installed.

Schmunk said she would like to budget for annual maintenance for the town’s trees in order to keep the overall look of the town appealing for residents and visitors.

Councilperson Paula Bell asked Schmunk for an update on the budget for the maintenance of the town shop which they planned to make improvements on last year.

Schmunk said in 2015 the Council received multiple proposals for improvements on the building, but they decided to wait for a lower estimate in the spring of 2017.

The budget for building repairs and improvements on the shop includes $5,700, she added.

Bell asked if the amount budgeted in the water collection revenues would remain at $230,000. Schmunk said the amount would be adjusted and currently the town has collected $222,000 with one month left in the year.

Schmunk reminded the Council of the annual increase of $1 to water and sewer due to an ordinance put into effect 10 years ago. The Council suspended the increase for 2016 with plans to reinforce it in 2017.

Schmunk said she would continue to review the more expensive line items to ensure the correct amounts were recorded.

The Council will hold their second public hearing on Dec. 13 and she will prepare a revised 2017 budget for the council to review before the meeting.

The Council then approved an invoice from Stantec for $4,377.14 pertaining to the Storm Water Project.