Alburnett council adopts purchase authority, restricted reserves and administrator job description

Alburnett — The City Council on Sept. 12 approved four administrative and budgetary resolutions meant to streamline operations and set up funds for upcoming capital needs.

The council adopted Resolution 2024‑33 to authorize limited purchases and payments without prior council approval for categories that include emergency repairs (with mayoral approval), routine supplies and essential fire supplies. The resolution sets a per‑transaction limit of $1,200 for routine supplies and for fire‑department consumables and requires documentation and reporting at the next council meeting.

Mayor said the change is intended to “make things more efficient so we don't have people sitting around waiting” and to ensure staff can keep services running between monthly meetings. Councilor Bosenberg moved the purchase‑authority resolution and Councilor Sukup seconded it; roll call recorded four affirmative votes (Trump, Bosenberg, Sukup, Myers) and the motion carried.

The council also adopted Resolution 2024‑34 to establish several restricted reserve funds — for a bridge project, fire apparatus, a new park, equipment and a lagoon dredging fund — and approved FY2 budgeted transfers listed in the packet. The packet shows total scheduled transfers of $575,000 to be allocated among those accounts. The resolution passed on a roll‑call vote with four recorded yes votes.

In a separate action, the council approved Resolution 2024‑35 to close the Real Estate Emergency Levy fund (119E) and move the remaining balance into the general fund; the clerk reported an ending balance of $19,435.60. That resolution also passed by roll call.

On personnel, the council approved Resolution 2024‑32 adopting an updated job description for the City Administrator position and directed staff to use the description in recruitment. Councilor Myers moved the resolution and Councilor Trump seconded; the motion passed on a unanimous recorded vote from the members present.

The clerk and staff flagged an item in the financial reports: a previously unpaid invoice of roughly $177,000 for Raycom related to a medical truck that will require budget amendments and will affect the fire department budget. The clerk said staff will prepare the necessary budget amendments and provide profit‑and‑loss statements to councilors in coming meetings.

Insurance options were also discussed but not acted on. Insurance presenter Chris recommended increasing the city’s crime coverage from $50,000 to $100,000 for a modest additional premium and reviewed optional gap coverage to reduce large EMC deductibles; council members asked staff to prepare the buyback as a future resolution.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2024‑32 (adopt job description): Motion by Myers; second Trump. Roll call: Trump, Bosenberg, Sukup, Myers — all recorded yes. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 2024‑33 (purchase authority): Motion by Bosenberg; second Sukup. Roll call: Trump, Bosenberg, Sukup, Myers — all recorded yes. Outcome: approved. Key limits: $1,200 per routine/fire‑supply transaction; emergency repairs require written mayoral approval and subsequent reporting. - Resolution 2024‑34 (restricted reserve funds and FY2 transfers): Motion by Myers; second Trum. Roll call recorded four yes votes. Outcome: approved. Packet lists total transfers of $575,000. - Resolution 2024‑35 (close emergency fund 119E): Motion by Suup; second Trum. Roll call recorded four yes votes. Outcome: approved. Ending balance reported: $19,435.60.

What happens next Staff will publish documentation of purchases made under the new authority at subsequent meetings, prepare budget amendments related to the late Raycom invoice, and, as requested by council, develop the resolution language and supporting materials for the insurance buyback to consider at a future meeting.