Council gives final OK to budget and tax levy

Jake Keohen

Staff Writer

The Montgomery City Council gave its final stamp of approval to the 2013 budget and property tax levy during the last regular meeting of the year held Thursday, Dec. 20.

City Administrator Steve Helget presented the resolution to the council, setting the final property tax levy at $1,729,166, reflecting a zero percent increase over the 2012 levy. The resolution also included adoption of the 2013 general fund budget at $2,626,275, and enterprise funds budget at $1,669,930.

Helget was then directed to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Le Sueur County auditor.

“The five-year financial plan adopted earlier by the council is definitely working,” Helget stated earlier in announcing that the general fund deficit is being eliminated and is projected to become a surplus in the future.

Helget also presented a resolution amending the 2012 budget, in accordance with state statute. He also indicated that the general fund had $200,000 in additional revenue than had been budgeted

The council also:

• Received updates on 2012 goals and objectives from some department heads, with others to come in January.

• Received report from Public Works/Utilities Director Dan DeRudder that the city water & sewer generators need upgrading, with MVEC agreeing to pay $28,000 toward the cost if the city pays an equal amount. The council moved to pay for the upgrade, payable to a company called Power Secure.

• Accepted the resignation of Maria Wiltscheck from the Montgomery Ambulance Service.

• Moved to go forward with a survey of wetland property which the River Country Co-op has requested the city purchase back as unusable. The co-op has agreed to pay one-half of survey costs. Low bid from Bolton & Menk of $1,200-$1,300 was accepted.

• Accepted bid from Spring Touch of Mankato ($1,335) for fertilizing and weed control for all three ball fields and city hall. Two other bids were more than double that amount.

• Approved an ordinance raising the city water base fee by $2 per month. Mayor Jean Keogh was opposed to the increase. In her closing comments at end of the meeting, the mayor also thanked outgoing council members Bonnie Sery-Malecha and Dave King for their service to the community.

• Scheduled the next regular meeting, the reorganization of council is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m.