Laurium council approves FY22-23 amended budget, advances FY23-24 proposal with modest surplus

The Village of Laurium council voted 5-0 on Feb. 27 to approve an amended FY22-23 budget and to advance the FY23-24 proposed budget after a staff presentation of revenue and expenditure adjustments. The motion to approve the FY22-23 amended budget and FY23-24 proposed budget was made by Jessica Hrebec and seconded by Galbraith; the motion carried 5-0.

Village staff member lan Lewis told the council he had factored inflation, wage increases and higher police costs into the proposed FY23-24 numbers and that auditors and staff identified previously unaccounted funds from a prior manager. Lewis said the FY22-23 fiscal year is now expected to show a small surplus, contrary to earlier expectations, and that the water fund has approximately $208,000 in cash on hand. He also said Major and Local Streets funds showed no immediate issues and that he modestly increased the Major Streets fund to supplement necessary projects.

Council members and staff discussed several revenue and cost-control options: keeping cable franchise fees in the general fund instead of moving them to the multi-rec fund (to be renamed Parks and Rec), separating ARPA funds into a distinct account and increasing business garbage rates. Lewis suggested exploring interlocal coordination with the Village of Calumet and changes to how ordinance publication costs are handled to reduce expense. He noted the council may consider a police millage if the Headley Override does not pass. The council did not take separate votes on those individual ideas during this meeting.

The council called for further review with the village auditor on state revenue sharing and snow-removal projections to ensure FY23-24 figures were accurate. The meeting opened at 6:35 PM and adjourned at 8:09 PM.