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Rolla City Council approves budget transfers, lease rent hike and judge pay increase; advances ordinance to first reading
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Rolla City Council approved 2025 budget transfers and amendments, a 10% rent increase for two nonprofit leases, a municipal judge pay increase, and a first reading of Ordinance 503. Council adopted Rolette Countys emergency operations plan and approved several routine permits and purchases.
The Rolla City Council met Jan. 21 and approved a series of financial and administrative actions aimed at updating the citys budget and operations.
Mayor Kevin Juntunen opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m., noting recent new business openings and urging residents to apply for the Primary Residence Credit by April 1. "Weve welcomed multiple new businesses over the past month and that is a significant sign of growth and a strong future," Juntunen said during his remarks.
In a series of votes, the council approved multiple 2025 fund transfers and budget amendments that reallocate contingency and capital funds across general, water, sewer, street and other city accounts. The minutes list detailed line items and amended totals for each fund and show unanimous approval for the package.
The council approved an Administrative Committee recommendation to raise the Rolla Community Daycare and Nutrition United, Inc. lease agreements by 10% effective May 1, 2026. The motion (moved by Alex Albert, seconded by Willie Fritz) was recorded with Albert, Fritz and Damond Schemmel voting "Aye" and Paul Frydenlund abstaining; the motion carried.
Public works purchases and repairs were approved. The council authorized an approximately $60,000 purchase of filter media from Filtronics, Inc. for the water treatment plant after hearing that lead time for the media is roughly eight months. The motion was approved unanimously.
On emergency planning, City Attorney Rachael Mickelson briefed the council on Senate Bill 2027 (floodplain management) and said she and City Auditor Tara McDougall will prepare draft language for a future meeting. The council also adopted Rolette Countys Local Emergency Operations Plan by unanimous vote.
Among other new-business items, the council: - Designated Starion Bank and Dacotah Bank as depositories for city funds under NDCC 21-0405 (motion approved unanimously). - Approved a Kalix building permit contingent on payment of $803 (motion approved unanimously). - Approved the revised Ordinance 19-02-070 following a public hearing (motion approved unanimously). - Approved the first reading of Ordinance 503, which would amend sections of Chapter 13.51.080 (motion approved unanimously).
The council also approved a salary increase for the municipal judge to $172 per month. The minutes record that Fritz, Schemmel and Frydenlund voted "Aye" and Albert abstained on that motion. The Dakota Law Group notified the city it will not take the citys case and returned a $2,500 deposit; the council took no action on that notice. A quarterly update from the Joint Development Authority (presented by Dawn Fitzgerald and Rebekah Bryant) and a discussion about available grants were provided to the council; no action was taken on grant items at the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m. and the minutes were signed by Mayor Kevin Juntunen and City Auditor Tara McDougall.
