Thayne council approves 2023–24 budget and utilities ordinance on second reading

The Thayne Town Council on April 19 approved the town’s fiscal 2023–24 budget (Ordinances 376–379) and a utilities ordinance (Ordinance 380) on second reading after the council offered no further changes.

Mayor Simpson asked whether any council member had changes to the proposed budget; none were offered. Councilmember Passey moved to approve the budget ordinances and Councilmember Heward seconded; the motion was recorded as carried. The council then considered Ordinance 380, which had been amended at the March meeting; Councilmember Woolley moved to approve the utilities ordinance and Councilmember Passey seconded; that motion was also recorded as carried.

The approvals were recorded as motions carried; the minutes do not provide a roll-call vote tally. Mayor Simpson told the council that new state legislation (SF 164) raised bidding requirements from $35,000 to $75,000 and changed vehicle procurement rules when no bids are returned. The council discussed and recorded an internal administrative decision reallocating part of the municipal clerk’s salary across funds: 15% charged to Water, 15% to Sewer, 20% to the Community Center and 50% to Administration.

The mayor also reported two land-use items discussed with applicants: United Church’s plan to place a pastor’s residence on commercially zoned property (which the council indicated is permissible under the parcel’s zoning) and a proposed property split involving Dr. Johnson and an oral surgeon. The council was advised that the latter would require a variance and a formal subdivision and that the permitting and review process would likely delay the building by roughly a year.

The meeting proceeded to routine administrative business, including motions to issue checks to be ratified at the next meeting and to pay current bills; both motions were seconded and recorded as carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.