Buhl council adopts $1.22 million 2025 budget, certifies $428,500 levy and approves licenses, appointments and hires

The Buhl City Council on Dec. 17 adopted a $1,221,611 budget for 2025 and certified a property tax levy of $428,500, voting unanimously on both measures.

Councilor Loeffler moved to adopt Resolution 24-31 approving the 2025 budget, which allocates $1,049,314 to the General Fund (101), $71,977 to the Library, $54,986 to Debt and $45,334 to Designated funds; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with Councilors Hadrava, Kealy, Loeffler, Towner and Mayor Brandin Carter voting Aye. Councilor Kealy then moved to adopt and certify the 2025 property tax levy at $428,500 under Resolution 24-32; the council voted unanimously to transmit a certified copy to the St. Louis County Auditor.

City Engineer John Jamnick, reporting on ongoing projects, said "preliminary work related to the water tower project is underway, including collecting soil borings for site location suitability and beginning State of Minnesota appropriation (bonding bill) budget development." Administrator Tony Jeffries recognized that this was the last regular meeting for Councilor Hadrava and Mayor Carter and thanked them for their service to the city.

The council approved the processing and issuance of 2025 liquor licenses for three local establishments—Billy's Pit Stop Pub 'n Grub; Buhl Curling Club; and The Hydeaway—after staff reported all relicensing information had been received and no issues identified. It also approved a Retail Sales of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products license for 2025 to C and B Warehouse Distributing, Inc., for the Short Stop at 1001 Forest St. (motion by Councilor Kealy; supported by Councilor Towner). Both motions carried unanimously.

On routine finance matters, the council authorized staff to pay "all normal and necessary" year-end bills that must be remitted before the next regular meeting on Jan. 7, 2025 (motion by Councilor Hadrava; supported by Councilor Kealy); that authorization passed unanimously.

The council filled a regional board vacancy by appointing John Klarich to the Central Iron Range Sanitary Sewer District board under Resolution 24-36. Councilors cited Klarich's prior service and experience on the board; the appointment was approved by unanimous roll call vote. The council also approved Resolution 24-37 to convey Parcel PIN 115-0034-00020 (Lot 2, Block 1, Plat of Damian 2nd Addition) to buyer Susan Hemminger; discussion noted the city's two-year holding policy, considerations regarding maintenance and taxes, and the need for improved public marketing of available city parcels.

Under Other Business the council approved hiring two seasonal rink attendants—Luis Benkusky and Burton Durbahn—contingent on completion of employment requirements; Councilor Kealy moved the motion and Councilor Towner supported it. Council discussion noted an expected early- to mid-January start if ice is available and that three to five attendants are a workable staffing range for rink operations.

Councilors closed the meeting with community announcements—library movie night, the City of Buhl Winter Frolic and the curling club season—and Mayor Carter thanked council and staff for their cooperation. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural and unanimous; no formal dissent or contested votes were recorded.