Alma council adopts salary ordinance, approves budget, hires RV park managers and awards cleaning contract

The Alma City Council on Sept. 18 adopted an ordinance setting employee salaries for fiscal year 2024–25, approved the city’s annual appropriation bill and approved several contracts and routine items during a 5:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall called by Mayor Hal Haeker.

Ordinance and budget

Council Member Chris Tripe introduced Ordinance 2024-09 to establish salaries for the coming fiscal year and moved to suspend the statutory rule requiring three readings; Council Member Dyann Collins seconded and the suspension passed by roll call. Council Member Tom Moulton moved for final passage, seconded by Tripe, and the ordinance was adopted by a recorded vote with Tripe, Collins, Casper and Moulton recorded as voting yes. Mayor Hal Haeker signed the ordinance for publication as required by law.

In the same meeting the council approved the Annual Appropriation Bill (the city budget) for fiscal year 2024–25. The motion to adopt the budget was made by Council Member Dyann Collins, seconded by Larry Casper, and passed with Tripe, Collins, Moulton and Casper recorded as voting yes.

Contracts and appointments

The council approved an RV Park manager agreement with Leroy and Donna Bose for seasonal management of the city RV park. The contract specifies compensation of $2,100 per month for the period April 1, 2025 through Oct. 31, 2025. The motion to approve the agreement was moved by Tom Moulton, seconded by Larry Casper, and passed with Moulton, Tripe, Collins and Casper recorded as voting yes.

For the city’s fiscal-year cleaning contract, the council considered two bids: Jeff Lynch at $650 per month and Ann Schroeders at $1,000 per month. Council Member Chris Tripe moved, seconded by Larry Casper, to award the contract to Jeff Lynch. Council Member Tom Moulton voiced a concern about a possible conflict of interest and emphasized that work should be scheduled after city shift hours; despite that objection the award was approved with Tripe, Collins and Casper voting yes and Moulton recorded as voting no.

Other business

Two planned presentations were rescheduled: a Two Rivers Health Department presentation was canceled by the health department and is rescheduled for Oct. 16, and the year-end swimming pool report was rescheduled for Oct. 2 because no presenter was available. The council also voted to postpone action on auditorium roof repair bids until representatives from Spartan and Midwest Roofing could attend to provide further information.

Procedural notes and next steps

The meeting opened with a roll call and the mayor advising the public of the posted Open Meetings Act notice. Routine claims totaling $117,491.16 for Sept. 5–18 were approved. The meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m. The city clerk attested to the minutes and the ordinance will be published as provided by law.