Budget is tight at Lincolnville
Council accepts Vinduska's resignation
Treasurer Don Buethe told Lincolnville City Council July 5 to limit expenditures in the coming months. He said purchase of the city hall building for $14,000 and expenditures related to construction of the new community building have put a strain on the budget. Neither of those projects were included in the budget when it was drawn up almost a year ago.
Receipts in June totaled $11,394.20. General fund expenditures totaled $12,236.26, including $7,716 for insurance, $402.27 for city hall, and $867.56 for community building expenditures. Buethe said the city can expect to receive approximately $24,000 in the next six months, but the money will come in gradually. Cash on hand at the end of June was $36,516.87.
It was reported Travis Burns received notice of back taxes owed on the property he purchased in April from the city at 512 Wichita. The property was deeded to the city in October from Tampa State Bank. The council approved a motion stating the city of Lincolnville and Tampa State Bank will work out a settlement of back taxes, and noted Burns is not responsible for them. Clerk Jane Pigorsch was instructed to send a letter to Burns to that effect.
Gail Burns reported a nice turnout Saturday and Sunday for the co-ed softball tournament at Lincolnville.
"It was a good weekend and the teams did a good job of picking up after themselves," she said.
Mayor David Schneider said he was informed by someone from the League of Municipalities that all decisions must be made by the council in official meetings. Pigorsch sought clarification regarding her authority to send letters.
The council authorized the mayor to sign the interlocal agreement on the Neighborhood Revitalization initiative instituted by the county.
Gas mileage reimbursement was raised from 31 cents to 32 cents.
The council accepted the resignation of Joe Vinduska as city employee. His resignation was submitted soon after the June meeting, and two people were hired to temporarily take over his responsibilities. After an executive session on personnel, the council voted to retain Mike Darrow of Marion as temporary summertime help at the rate of $6.75 per hour. Ads will be placed in local newspapers for temporary summer help. The council also voted to retain Dennis Albrecht of Herington as temporary sewer technician until it is determined how soon city employee Steve Podszus can be trained for the position.
When monthly bills were submitted for approval, Scott Gutsch made a motion to withhold payment of the bill from the company supplying porta-potties at the ball field pending investigation into why the porta-potties were not serviced prior to the Fourth of July weekend.
Podszus reported he and Darrow spent a lot of time in June cleaning up the sewer ponds. They trimmed weeds on interior slopes, mowed, cut out trees, and painted fence rails. They also installed new signs and trimmed weeds at the burn site. Other duties included mowing the ball diamond outfield and dragging the infield. Branches are being collected after the Sunday night storm. The council approved a motion to upgrade the city's weed-eater.
Evelyn Matz reported a senior dinner will be held today (Wednesday) at Friendship House. She invited all to come. The council thanked her for keeping residents posted about local events on the sign at the car wash.
Greg Hubbard reported progress has slowed at the community building but is expected to pick up again in the fall.
The council decided to hold a rabies clinic for residents of northern Marion County. The date, place, and time will be determined after a veterinarian is contacted.
Pigorsch was authorized to send registered letters to residents with six-months delinquent sewer bills, giving them until the end of July to pay the bills in full. A fee of $20 will be added to cover the extra cost. Bills not paid will be turned over to the county for collection with property taxes.
The council approved free use of the community building by the Centre school board for its March 16, 2006, meeting.
A donation of $100 was approved for Relay For Life in Marion County.
Pigorsch reported the city will receive an additional $900 in federal emergency funds for time spent by residents to gather branches and deposit them at the street.
After receiving an incident report filed at the Marion County Sheriff's Department regarding a ruined truck tire, the council approved payment of a $248.35 bill from Cardie Oil. The company claimed rock left on Main Street by a city employee caused the problem.
