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South Range council approves 2024–25 budget, pay increases and water-system work
Summary
On March 7, 2024 the Village of South Range Common Council adopted the 2024–25 budget, approved wage increases for elected officials and staff, authorized purchase of a lift-station pump, and approved lead-service-line bid work and several municipal policy updates.
The Village of South Range Common Council approved its annual budget for fiscal year 2024–25 and a package of personnel and infrastructure measures during meetings on March 7, 2024.
Trustee Cody Bonini moved to approve the 2024–25 annual budget; Trustee Tim Korby seconded the motion and the council carried it unanimously. The public hearing opened at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 6:18 p.m., after which the council convened its regular meeting.
The council also adopted Ordinance 2024-1, a Cross Connection Ordinance intended to address water-system cross connections, and approved a $5.00 credit to water customers who complete and return the Cross Connection Survey. Trustee Therese Parolini moved the survey-credit measure and Trustee Cody Bonini moved the ordinance; both measures passed unanimously.
On compensation, the council passed an ordinance raising the monthly pay of the Village President to $500 and trustees to $75 per month. Later in the regular meeting, trustees approved a broader personnel package: a $25 monthly raise for council members, a $75 monthly raise for the president (matching the earlier ordinance), a 3.5% increase for full-time public works employees, a 3.5% increase for the clerk with an additional $1.50 per hour conditioned on completion of a grant-writer class, and the creation and internal posting of an Assistant Director of Public Works position to shadow the director. The employee-wage package passed 6–1, with Trustee Greg Harkonen recorded as the sole dissenting vote.
The council approved several infrastructure and procurement items. Trustees authorized a purchase up to $15,000 for a new lift station pump on Atlantic Avenue after Street Commissioner Craig Burkman reported the existing pump needs replacement and a repaired pump should be kept as a spare. The council also authorized OHM to manage the bid process for required lead-service-line work under the village’s lead-pipe program and directed that a bid package be prepared for paving work in Whealkate Estates.
Administrative and service-policy changes included approving a 2024 Purchasing Policy with updated titles and a requirement to advertise bids in the newspaper, on the village website and at public locations; and amending the garbage policy so residential properties vacant for three months may suspend garbage service if they notify the clerk. The council set the garbage rate at $15 per apartment unit or cabin and instructed the clerk to send correction letters to short-term rental properties after an earlier letter misstated the amount as $14.
Trustee Paul Saaranen moved to pay bills totaling $39,085.56—$30,031.59 in past bills and $9,053.97 in new bills—and the council approved payment unanimously. President George Eakin noted the village had recent positive news concerning a lead-pipe service grant and reminded trustees that ordinance changes affecting council pay require a 30-day posting followed by a public hearing, a step he said would take the matter to the May meeting.
The Regular Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.; the clerk prepared and submitted the minutes.
