Rushford Village council adopts 2025 levy, approves CD purchases and multiple vendor agreements

Rushford Village’s City Council on Dec. 17 adopted a final 2025 levy of $572,450, a 7% increase from the prior year, and approved a series of budget and vendor actions intended to shore up short-term reserves and meet pending obligations. The meeting was held at the CRV Hall Office and was called to order by Mayor Dennis Overland at 7:00 p.m.

Treasurer Judy Graham told the council the city had receipts of $198,813.22 and expenses of $30,881.55 as of Dec. 15 and estimated December receipts of $265,000 and expenses of $95,000. After discussing cash flow through mid-2025, the council approved buying $35,000 in 12-month certificates of deposit (CDs) allocated to equipment and parks reserves (Grader $25,000; Road & Mowing Equipment $6,000; Parks $2,000; Office Equipment $2,000) to begin rebuilding replacement funds.

Council members also approved paying Rushford Village’s $20,000 share of a Fillmore County bridge replacement from the General Fund rather than cashing the dedicated Bridge CD. Council Member Rick Ruberg noted the Bridge CD remains available if needed in the future; the motion to pay $20,000 from the General Fund carried.

The council approved two Gundersen Health agreements for 2025: an Occupational Health Agreement covering routine random and accident-related drug and alcohol testing during normal business hours, and a separate Hearing Conservation Service Agreement to monitor maintenance staff hearing. Gundersen informed the city it no longer provides after-hours testing; the council approved using Affirm Drug Testing for testing after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends and accepted the vendor’s fee schedule.

Council also approved a Fillmore County VOTER Account Agreement that allows the county to accept state funds to continue providing election equipment, training, maintenance and supplies for Rushford Village.

The meeting concluded with routine business including approval of the agenda and minutes, and the administration of oaths of office to Mayor Dennis Overland and council members Mike Ebner and Rick Ruberg. The council adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting minutes): - Agenda approval: Motion by Robert Hart; second Rick Ruberg; carried. - Minutes approval (Dec. 3, 2024): Motion by Rick Ruberg; second Mike Ebner; carried. - Financials approved: Motion by Travis Link; second Rick Ruberg; carried. - Pay $20,000 to Fillmore County for bridge replacement from General Fund: Motion by Robert Hart; second Rick Ruberg; carried. - Approve Gundersen Health 2025 Occupational Health Agreement: Motion by Mike Ebner; second Robert Hart; carried. - Approve Gundersen Health 2025 Hearing Conservation Agreement: Motion by Travis Link; second Robert Hart; carried. - Approve Affirm Drug Testing for after-hours testing and fee schedule: Motion by Travis Link; second Mike Ebner; carried. - Approve Fillmore County VOTER Account Agreement: Motion by Rick Ruberg; second Mike Ebner; carried. - Approve combining ESST into PTO (personnel policy change): Motion by Robert Hart; second Travis Link; carried. - Approve letter to Representative Greg Davids with revisions: Motion by Robert Hart; second Travis Link; carried. - Recommend 2% COLA with no step for 2025: Motion by Robert Hart; second Rick Ruberg; carried. - Approve $35,000 in 12-month CD purchases: Motion by Robert Hart; second Mike Ebner; carried. - Adopt Resolution 2024-12-17 (final 2025 levy $572,450): Motion by Travis Link; second Rick Ruberg; carried.

The minutes record that individual vote tallies were not recorded; each motion is noted as “carried” in the official minutes.