LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met in special session July 5th after having to cancel a special session the previous week due to three members having doctor’s appointments.
Mayor Mark Marin was absent and Vice Mayor Ernie Teague took his place.
2016-17 Budget
Discussion started with the City Center, Auditorium and Thrift Store having a total $9,328 expenses and $600 in revenue. Council member Pat Whitley wanted a “better handle” on costs. Bookkeeper Kim Lombardi explained no insurance bills and fund accounting unknown. She said Accountant Craig Collins was doing some accounting . She noted CalPERS total was unknown and Councilman Brooks Mitchell said the State is compiling amounts. Kim said she can’t give an estimate of payments without the budget. Vice Mayor Teague questioned any fees from the thrift store.
Next under discussion was the General Fund which showed a anticipated revenue for 2016-17 of $137,600 with Transfers Out of $92,540 which Pat said has to be cut to pay other expenses. Legal fees from the General Fund showed $5,000 which was said to have more than doubled. Pat stated they are duplicating legal services. Councilman John Cussins commented, “it’s the way it is. We’re not capable of doing it ourselves.” Last year’s revenue of property tax and sales tax in llieu was $92,415.32. Building repairs of $2,000 was a concern with the roof leaking. Utilities of $1,500 was called a low amount. Other Contracted Services of $18,100 was said to be the police contract and City Clerk and council members. It was decided to “move forward with what’s known.”
On the Water & Sewer Enterprise account, the water budget showed a deficit of $15,589 and the sewer budget, a $26,065 deficit. It was noted the City received $20,000 less in water revenue and $40,000 less in sewer revenue due to the Loyalton Mobile Estates. Vice Mayor Teague hoped not to raise rates and Cussins stated “no choice.” Pat noted giving the trailer park water is illegal! She called it subsidizing water. Ernie said they’d talked about it for three years. John told of a need for pumps, aerators and back up meters and with no repair parts left.On the Enterprise loan account, there is one water loan and three sewer loans. Principal on water is $16,600; interest is $46,900 and debt reserve is $14,500. For sewer, debt principle is $94,000; debt interest $114,000 and debt reserve is $26,000.
City Clerk Tracy Smith complained on the time and Brooks suggested they accept the budget as the Council voted to approve the preliminary budget.
Park & Social Hall showed total revenue of $900 and expenses of $18,770.
Museum & Cemetery showed a revenue of $1,750 and expenses of $3,255.
Streets & Highways’ revenue was $20,000 and expenses of $43,756.
Fire Department balanced at $30,000.
Hiring of temporary employee
Maintenance man Colby Russell was asked about his free time which he called “none,” working Tuesday - Friday at the park and one full day mowing and weeding. John felt people “need to do their own.” He mentioned the school used to do the ball fields. He talked about the slurry coming up. That concerned Steve Barker and he talked of getting help on the streets to crack seal and tar. John agreed with patching before winter and suggested work program money. He and Kathy LeBlanc were to make calls on free workers. John told of having worked for the city in the past with just two workers. Brooks made the motion to look for free workers or to hire help three days a week, six hours a day at $12 an hour. John seconded the motion and it was unanimous.
Reimbursement of Funds from Museum
Although this item has been on the previous agenda and passed, the amount to be reimbursed to Jackie and Brooks Mitchell is $392.66 and was moved by John, seconded by Pat and approved with Brooks recusing himself. Pat wanted the plan to take the dirt to the cemetery since the county has not responded. Reimbursement is contingent on removal. Brooks agreed to move the dirt and agreed it was an “eye sore.” He will use the city dump truck and John Deer tractor.
Building Inspector Agreement
The City had discussed loaning equipment off the Loyalton Swimming Pool to Portola for its pool in exchange for use of its building inspector and the City has loanded its swimming pool heaters with no agreement. Pat had complained that was Quid Pro Quo, where one transfer is contingent upon the other. The pool heaters are to be loaned one season as Truckee is building a new pool and Portola will get its heaters. City Counsel Steve Gross represents both the City of Loyalton and City of Portola and realizes a conflict.
Mayor Mark Marin was absent and Vice Mayor Ernie Teague took his place.
2016-17 Budget
Discussion started with the City Center, Auditorium and Thrift Store having a total $9,328 expenses and $600 in revenue. Council member Pat Whitley wanted a “better handle” on costs. Bookkeeper Kim Lombardi explained no insurance bills and fund accounting unknown. She said Accountant Craig Collins was doing some accounting . She noted CalPERS total was unknown and Councilman Brooks Mitchell said the State is compiling amounts. Kim said she can’t give an estimate of payments without the budget. Vice Mayor Teague questioned any fees from the thrift store.
Next under discussion was the General Fund which showed a anticipated revenue for 2016-17 of $137,600 with Transfers Out of $92,540 which Pat said has to be cut to pay other expenses. Legal fees from the General Fund showed $5,000 which was said to have more than doubled. Pat stated they are duplicating legal services. Councilman John Cussins commented, “it’s the way it is. We’re not capable of doing it ourselves.” Last year’s revenue of property tax and sales tax in llieu was $92,415.32. Building repairs of $2,000 was a concern with the roof leaking. Utilities of $1,500 was called a low amount. Other Contracted Services of $18,100 was said to be the police contract and City Clerk and council members. It was decided to “move forward with what’s known.”
On the Water & Sewer Enterprise account, the water budget showed a deficit of $15,589 and the sewer budget, a $26,065 deficit. It was noted the City received $20,000 less in water revenue and $40,000 less in sewer revenue due to the Loyalton Mobile Estates. Vice Mayor Teague hoped not to raise rates and Cussins stated “no choice.” Pat noted giving the trailer park water is illegal! She called it subsidizing water. Ernie said they’d talked about it for three years. John told of a need for pumps, aerators and back up meters and with no repair parts left.On the Enterprise loan account, there is one water loan and three sewer loans. Principal on water is $16,600; interest is $46,900 and debt reserve is $14,500. For sewer, debt principle is $94,000; debt interest $114,000 and debt reserve is $26,000.
City Clerk Tracy Smith complained on the time and Brooks suggested they accept the budget as the Council voted to approve the preliminary budget.
Park & Social Hall showed total revenue of $900 and expenses of $18,770.
Museum & Cemetery showed a revenue of $1,750 and expenses of $3,255.
Streets & Highways’ revenue was $20,000 and expenses of $43,756.
Fire Department balanced at $30,000.
Hiring of temporary employee
Maintenance man Colby Russell was asked about his free time which he called “none,” working Tuesday - Friday at the park and one full day mowing and weeding. John felt people “need to do their own.” He mentioned the school used to do the ball fields. He talked about the slurry coming up. That concerned Steve Barker and he talked of getting help on the streets to crack seal and tar. John agreed with patching before winter and suggested work program money. He and Kathy LeBlanc were to make calls on free workers. John told of having worked for the city in the past with just two workers. Brooks made the motion to look for free workers or to hire help three days a week, six hours a day at $12 an hour. John seconded the motion and it was unanimous.
Reimbursement of Funds from Museum
Although this item has been on the previous agenda and passed, the amount to be reimbursed to Jackie and Brooks Mitchell is $392.66 and was moved by John, seconded by Pat and approved with Brooks recusing himself. Pat wanted the plan to take the dirt to the cemetery since the county has not responded. Reimbursement is contingent on removal. Brooks agreed to move the dirt and agreed it was an “eye sore.” He will use the city dump truck and John Deer tractor.
Building Inspector Agreement
The City had discussed loaning equipment off the Loyalton Swimming Pool to Portola for its pool in exchange for use of its building inspector and the City has loanded its swimming pool heaters with no agreement. Pat had complained that was Quid Pro Quo, where one transfer is contingent upon the other. The pool heaters are to be loaned one season as Truckee is building a new pool and Portola will get its heaters. City Counsel Steve Gross represents both the City of Loyalton and City of Portola and realizes a conflict.
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