City Council approves appropriation ordinance for FY 25

By Rebecca Sponsler – Advocate News Staff

The Greenville City Council approved the appropriation ordinance for Fiscal Year 2025 at the May 14 regular meeting for $60,429,821. “The appropriation is what we file with the county for each fund and how much money we’re spending,” said City Manager Jo Hollenkamp, “and how much is being supported by the tax levy,” Hollemcamp continued. This is not the working budget of the city. “What we do is double the expenses and keep the revenue what is really expected,” Hollenkamp said at the public hearing held before the meeting.

Hollenkamp gave the example of a street needing repairing, if the city does not have enough money appropriated to fix the problem, they would not have to have a special appropriation. you can only exceed your original appropriation by 10%. If the city were to have a special appropriation there would have to be a new revenue stream for funding, this prevents the city from having to do a special appropriation.

At the regular meeting during public comment, several individuals spoke to the council about wakeboarding at Governor Bond Lake. There will be a meeting, at a later date, to allow the public to work with the city on new regulations.

After hearing the engineering report from a Milano & Grunloh representative, the Council approved the consent agenda that contained the following items:

• Minutes of the April 9, 2024 meeting.
• April financial statements.
• Unpaid bills
• Administrative reports: Police, Public Work, Sewer,  and water departments, along with the Building Permits and Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer reports.
• Purchase of two effluent pumps for the sewer plant. The pumps were purchased from Municipal Equipment for $70,487.20 with installation included. The city received three quotes for this project, one from Municipal Equipment, one from Equipment Pro for $91,813.57 installation included, and one from Flowserve for $123,512 without installation.
• Project invoice 24-063 payable to Studio ARQ for $89,139.75.
• Purchase of a backhoe from Diamond Equipment, Inc. This is for the Public Works department and was budgeted. Total cost was $164,561.71
• Two vehicles were purchased for the police department, a used truck from Chicago Motors Inc. for $22,995.00 and a new Durango from Victory Lane for $43,280.00. These vehicles were budgeted, and the balance of the police budget will be used to outfit them with lights and other necessary equipment.
• Pay estimate #7 for the Safe Routes to School project for $10,581.75, and pay estimate #8 for $16,195.02 payable to DMS Contracting.
• Pay estimate #1 for the new water treatment plant in the amount of $447,904.11 payable to All Service Contracting Corp.
• Change order #5 for the Idler Lane water main replacement for $1,200. The original contract price was $700,904.11, after change orders the price is $650,509.92
• Pay estimate #5 for Haier Plumbing & Heating for $3,800 for the Idler Lane water main replacement.
• Pay estimate #8 for Grunloh Builders for the new water treatment plant in the amount of $1,917,705.91.
• Ratification of the revised revolving loan handbook.
• Keith Poss, a part-time lake patrol officer, was authorized for a credit card with a $1,000 limit to get gas at the dock for the city patrol boat.
• Jeff Ketten was authorized for a city credit card with a $1,000 limit. He was unable to check the gas pumps without a credit card, if there was a problem at the pump he would have to borrow another city card.
• Incoming Police Chief, Brian Waugh, will receive a city credit card with a $10,000 limit. Current Chief of Police Stefan Neece will be retiring on June 12, 2024, and it can take up to 30 days to receive the card.
• Ratification of Police Pension report.
• Ratification of a resolution declaring surplus property.

After approving the consent agenda

the council moved on to other items for their consideration.

A propane agreement for the city with ILMO Propane was approved at a rate of $1.44 per gallon. There were two other bids submitted, South Central FS with $1.77 a gallon and Ferrell Gas at $1.789 per gallon.

A sale contract with Jane and Breck Nelson for the purchase of 215 and 219 North Second St was approved. The sale amount was $256,000. The council also approved moving forward with the demolition of the old Fusion Dance Center building, 215 North Second St., however, they will need to obtain an asbestos inspection before going out for bid. Once the building is torn down it will become part of the plaza. Both measures were approved with a vote of 4-1 with Council Woman Lisa Stephens voting no both times.

A revolving loan for Lu-Bob’s was approved for $45,000 with a 3% interest rate over 10 years. The council alos approved the terms of a TIF/Business District agreement for Lu-Bob’s for $36,629. The representative, Katie, from Lu-Bob’s stated that the money would be used to remodel and update the building as well as put air-conditioning in the kitchen.

A conditional use permit, requested by Sam Ramadon, to operate a tobacco and vape family at the old Jumping Jimmy’s was approved, and the planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the board.

A resolution giving the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem the authority to sign documents relating to the purchase of real estate, sale of city-owned real estate, and liens associated with the city’s revolving loan program, and or the TIF program.

After returning from executive session, the council approved a resolution pertaining to past executive session minutes. Some were approved to be open to the public and some were kept closed. For a full list of the minutes visit the City of Greenville’s website.

The next meeting will be held on June 11, 2024 at 7 p.m.