Cleveland council reviews routine $15,000 transfer, proposed tax rate and insurance concerns tied to donated Oldville property

At a June 11 public hearing, Cleveland officials discussed several budget items, including a routine $15,000 transfer from the enterprise fund to the general fund, an amendment to the 2025–26 budget, a proposed property tax rate and concerns about increased insurance costs after the town accepted a donated property known as Oldville.

The chair said the $15,000 transfer is a recurring annual move "to cover operating expenses" and a staff member confirmed the enterprise fund is where utility payments are deposited. The chair described the amended 2025–26 budget as an end-of-year adjustment that will be balanced and filed with the state pending council permission.

On taxes, the chair presented a proposed property tax rate of 0.000469 that would produce $13,007.52 in revenue; council discussion noted the town receives a small share of property tax revenue. One council member criticized the distribution of property tax revenue as "unconstitutional, if you ask me."

Council members then discussed Oldville. A staff member said Oldville "was given to us by the Oltsons" in exchange for grave plots and that insurer feedback lumped the farm fields, buildings and a fire engine into the valuation, producing a low estimate. Council members asked whether transferring maintenance liability to the county, charging fees, or other measures could reduce the town’s insurance burden. The council scheduled an outside advisor, Liz, to offer ideas next month on ways to increase town revenue.

Council member (S2) moved to adjourn the public hearing later in the meeting; the motion was seconded and the chair called the vote.