Rushford Village council approves 9% increase to proposed 2025 levy

Acting Mayor Mike Ebner called the Rushford Village council into session Sept. 17, 2024, and the council voted to increase the proposed 2025 levy by 9%, approving Proposed Levy Resolution 2024-09-17 in the amount of $583,150.

Council members reviewed a proposed budget based on last year’s levy of $535,000, which showed projected receipts of $691,529 and disbursements of $724,343, leaving a shortfall of $32,814. During discussion, councilors identified priorities that contributed to the levy increase: part-time help, employee salary adjustments, a $24,000 shed remodel, $41,000 for chip sealing and a replacement F-450/F-550 vehicle budgeted at $87,000 with $25,000 offset by a certificate of deposit.

Public Works/Maintenance Supervisor Trenten Chiglo and staff outlined operating needs, while council debate focused on staffing costs and pay rates. Councilors discussed part-time help calculated at eight months (32 weeks) at 10 hours per week; the initial calculation used $15 per hour but council members proposed raising that to $20 per hour. The council also reviewed a proposed employee cost-of-living adjustment of 3% plus steps that together amount to roughly a 5.5% personnel increase.

Council Member Robert Hart moved to raise the proposed levy by 9% (an increase of $48,150) and approve the resolution; Council Member Travis Link seconded and the motion carried.

The council noted that a Truth in Taxation meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2024, to receive public comment on the levy. The final levy must be set by Dec. 17, 2024.

Notes: The motion recorded in the minutes states only "carried"; the minutes did not record a roll-call vote or list individual yes/no votes.