Ceresco trustees review budget as fire radios, police pay and library staffing dominate workshop

Ceresco — Trustees at a July 29 special meeting and budget workshop reviewed departmental budgets and debated how to handle rising costs for first responders, police staffing and library services as the board prepares a final 2025–26 budget.

The fire department presented what it described as an urgent capital need for new radios. Tyler Heyen said the six-year-old radios are no longer serviceable by Motorola and estimated replacement units at about $6,500 each; trustees discussed an $60,000 capital outlay line for radios and whether budgeted funds could be carried forward if staff do not purchase units before year-end. "The radios cost $6,500 each and I don't want to make the mistake of buying the wrong radios and have them be out of date in a couple years," Heyen said.

Trustees pressed for fiscal discipline. Trustee Burklund said the department's budget has "tripled" in two years and asked where cuts could be made; Heyen responded that equipment and supply costs have risen and that additional EMTs require more training and gear.

Police budget discussions focused on payroll, training and weekend coverage. Tony Hernandez requested increased payroll and training funds, noting some cruiser expenses will be reimbursed after sentencing and that neighboring agencies pay higher hourly rates. Trustees asked for a list of anticipated insurance reimbursements and discussed scaling back weekend hours.

The Library Board presented two staffing options: hire a full-time director or retain the current 19-hour director with added support. Library representatives asked for a $3,700 increase to cover wage adjustments tied to Domonique Harris, who has been offered a full-time job elsewhere and helped expand current programming.

Other budget notes included a water-department request to supply a 110-volt generator at the water tower to power the level indicator and wells (trustees asked staff to confirm power requirements), continued budgeting for manhole rehabilitation, and discussions over whether certain wastewater treatment plant blowers should be moved to capital outlay. Lindgren said she is evaluating whether an anticipated water loan is still needed and that bond proceeds for a new well had been recorded earlier.

Trustees scheduled a follow-up budget workshop for Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. and asked the clerk to deliver finished budget items before that meeting. Several line items were identified for further review, including professional services (JEO, attorney, Erickson and Brooks) and community-building capital projects.