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Proctor council sets 7% preliminary levy, approves 5% citywide pay increase and ARPA-funded plow truck; firefighter pension boost pared back
Summary
On Sept. 3 the Proctor City Council approved a 7% preliminary levy, a 5% market-rate pay adjustment for all city employees and designated ARPA funds to buy a plow truck. A requested increase to the volunteer firefighter benefit to $3,600 failed; the council approved a $600 increase instead.
The Proctor City Council on Sept. 3 approved a preliminary levy of 7%, a citywide 5% market-rate pay adjustment for all employees and the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to buy a plow truck, while voting down a larger increase to the volunteer firefighter pension and adopting a smaller raise.
Council members moved quickly through several budget items. The council set a 7% preliminary property-tax levy by voice vote after brief discussion, with the mayor noting that a preliminary levy may be lowered but not increased later. Finance Director Brunfelt was cited during budget discussion as having completed a wage study used to support the proposed market adjustment.
On the pay increase, councilors debated whether the 5% adjustment should be negotiated into collective-bargaining agreements or communicated as a separate, one-time market correction. Several members urged staff to send letters to bargaining units explaining the council's intent. The council approved the 5% market-rate adjustment and then approved a budget amendment to fund that change.
Council also approved a resolution designating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase a plow truck for the city with the intent to complete the purchase before Dec. 31, 2024. The council approved two small tourism grants of $100 each and approved an easement request from St. Louis County for land behind the Old Hockey Arena.
A contested vote came on a packet request to raise the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter (VF) benefit from $2,400 to $3,600 annually. Councilors exchanged views about recruitment and retention, the funding implications reported by PERA (the pension report used figures based on 18 active volunteers) and long-term fiscal risk. An initial motion to raise the benefit to $3,600 failed on a roll call (Councelor Johnson: no; Councelor Reuer: no; Councelor Benson: yes; Councelor Dwall: no; Mayor Ward: no). The council then passed a substitute motion to increase the benefit by $600.
The council also approved payment of bills as presented and adjourned. Staff were directed to return with further information on firefighter rosters and PERA reporting to inform next year’s budget timeline.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 50-24 (preliminary levy 7%): approved by voice vote; Resolution 51-24 (5% market-rate adjustment): approved by voice vote; Resolution 52-24 (budget amendment to fund market adjustment): approved by voice vote; Resolution 53-24 (ARPA designation for plow truck): approved by voice vote; Resolution 54-24 (two tourism grants of $100 each): approved by voice vote; Resolution 55-24 (increase VF benefit to $3,600): failed on roll call (1 yes, 4 no); subsequent motion to increase VF benefit by $600: approved by voice vote.
Next steps: Council requested staff coordinate with bargaining units about the market adjustment, return PERA/fund-status details for the volunteer firefighter fund during the budget cycle (August/September), and proceed with ARPA procurement steps for the plow truck.
