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Milaca City Council officially passed a provisional budget and levy on September 16, previously approved during a special working session.
The levy remained up 2% ($ 19,480) from the 2021 levy to a total of $ 994,480. The levy and the budget were passed, only Mayor Pete Pedersen was against it.
With a few exceptions, the budget approved at the meeting largely corresponded to the budget approved at the workshop.
One was the confirmation of the three new staff positions in the city, one of which is transferring a current employee to a new position. The budget also reduced a parking attendant position from full-time to part-time and postponed three positions on the capital improvement project, which are expected to cost around $ 78,500.
Personnel costs are expected to increase by 11.3% compared to 2021 to a total of almost 1.7 million US dollars, according to city documents.
During the discussion, Mayor Pedersen asked the council to allocate certain budget items that they would like to downsize or cut in order to cut spending.
Councilor Norris Johnson said he would like a tax break on the debt tax paid on the library‘s handover. The 2017 library loan is expected to cost the city $ 136,553, but 2022 will be the final year for loan payments.
“I think it would be good to give the Milaca taxpayers a little break and say, ‘Nice work, you paid off the library, we’re done, and as a reward you get a tax break,” said Norris.
Norris also suggested that city department heads come to a future meeting and suggest where they could cut the budget. Councilor Cory Pedersen agreed, saying he had gained from previous discussions.
After some discussion, Mayor Pederson agreed to meet with staff to discuss his specific budgetary concerns.
The budget
The tentative budget foresees revenue of just over $ 4.9 million, up 7.7% from 2021 and just over $ 5 million in spending, up 5.8% compared to 2021. That leaves the city with an operating deficit of $ 125,771, 37.6% less than the previous year’s deficit, according to city records.
The general fund is said to have the largest income ($ 2.3 million) and the largest expenditure ($ 2.5 million), ending up with a deficit of $ 4,528.
The biggest deficit is actually in the sewage fund, which is projected to be just under $ 53,548. The fund is expected to generate revenue of $ 386,350 but will cost $ 439,898 in 2022.
The city also expects a deficit of $ 17,951 in the debt service fund and a deficit of $ 49,744 in the water fund.
The city’s special revenue is expected to generate revenue of $ 119,692 while costing $ 111,692. The liquor fund is expected to generate $ 870,904 in revenue and $ 670,904 in expenses. The assistant registrar’s fund should generate $ 213,381, and cost the same, according to city documents.
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