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Velva commission approves 2025 budget, adopts accessory-building ordinance and posts opening for third public works position
Summary
At its Sept. 16 meeting, the Velva City Commission approved the 2025 final budget, adopted a change to Sec. 30-165 on accessory buildings, approved engineering change orders and a large pay application for sewer work, and voted to post an opening for Public Works employee #3.
Commission President Mike Schreiner called the Velva City Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. Sept. 16 at Velva City Hall and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The commission approved minutes from its Aug. 19 meeting and accepted bills totaling $94,327.72 and payroll totaling $25,547.13 after motions passed on roll call. Commissioner Mary Liz Davis said she consults weekly with City Auditor Jenny Johns on financial and complaint matters and has not received reports of parking issues at the school.
The commission unanimously approved the city’s 2025 final budget for submission to the county by the Oct. 10 deadline after a motion by Commissioner Gene Jenson and second by Commissioner Mary Liz Davis. Auditor Jenny Johns confirmed the budget must be sent to the county by Oct. 10.
Engineer Emma Lavachek presented two change orders and pay application #5 tied to the ongoing infrastructure project. The commission approved change order 1 for $35,960.13, change order 2 for $1,029 and pay application 5 for $87,531.83 on a motion by Jenson, seconded by Vice President Dave Keller. Lavachek said the main lift station was started up on Sept. 5 and SRT will complete the Sensaphone notification installation for operations staff; she also briefed the commission on the state-mandated lead service line inventory effort.
Assessor Chery Bourdeau reported that hired surveyors found discrepancies in the plat for the water plant road and noted investigatory costs have exceeded $6,000; she asked the commission whether to continue and the body asked Auditor Jenny Johns to consult the city attorney for legal guidance.
On land-use rules, Commissioner Mary Liz Davis moved and Commissioner Ben Zietz seconded to adopt the second and final reading of an amendment to Section 30-165 (Accessory Buildings); the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
In personnel business, Commission President Mike Schreiner outlined reasons to hire a third Public Works employee now—state testing mandates, on-call coverage and vacation leave needs. Commissioner Mary Liz Davis moved and Commissioner Gene Jenson seconded to post the opening for Public Works employee #3; the roll-call vote was Davis, Jenson, Zietz and Schreiner in favor and Vice President Dave Keller opposed. Auditor Jenny Johns said she will prepare the job posting.
City Auditor Jenny Johns reported the 2023 audit work is in progress with Wyche and that the city is still awaiting final state reports. Commissioners also noted that the appliance-dump collection has been extended and remains available at the drop-off location.
The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.; the commission scheduled its next meeting and reminded residents that agenda requests are due by noon the Thursday before a meeting.
