Motley’s final 2017 levy up 3.4 percent over last year
At their regular meeting Dec. 12, the Motley City Council approved the total levy for 2017 ($358,206), a 3.4 percent increase from last year’s certified levy of $346,428. They also adopted the final budget for 2017 as presented.
Prior to voting on the levy and budget, the public was given an opportunity to speak and ask questions. No comments were voiced.
Highlights of the 2017 budget are included below.
Expenses
o The final expenditure budget for 2017 is set at $2,114,001.96, up $56,095.96 from last year’s adopted budget of $2,057,906.
o Wages and salaries in the police protection dept. show an increase of approximately $4,020; and in the administration dept., a decrease of $6,373.
o There is an overall decrease in the area of employee benefits.
o City Clerk/Treasurer Lacey Smieja noted that funds have been budgeted in both the police and administration departments to allow for the hiring of additional staff.
Revenue
o The final 2017 revenue budget is $2,177,327, down $1,279 from last year’s adopted budget of $2,178,606. Some notable changes in revenue include:
o In the general fund, general property taxes are $173,056, down $1,461 from 2016.
o Local Government Aid (LGA) is $160,297 in 2017, up $443 from last year.
o The city will not be dipping into reserve funds to balance the budget in 2017, as was the case in 2016.
In other matters the council:
o APPROVED an application to rezone a property at 297 Ash St. E, from Public Use (PU) to Residential - High Density (R-E), as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
o APPROVED zoning ordinance amendments as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Of note is a change to the definition of “Principal Structure of Use” to clarify that recreational vehicles used as dwellings shall not be considered a principal structure or use.
o TABLED voting on the 2017 proposal and contract from Ben Oleson with Hometown Planning, the city’s current planning and zoning administrator. Per their discussion, the council feels Oleson has been doing a great job; but they are wanting to get a proposal from NJPA (National Joint Powers Alliance) as well. Lacey Smieja, city clerk/treasurer, noted that the city has 24 banked/carryover hours of service from Hometown Planning.
o DISCUSSED whether or not the city should be collecting a percentage of building permit fees, which it currently does not. According to building inspector David Barsody, the city has always waived their fee in the past but he wondered if they would like to change that. The council voiced mixed feelings about this, indicating a desire for the city to recover its expenses, but not wanting to burden residents or discourage them from doing building projects.
o APPROVED contract from the Township of Motley regarding road sanding services. The township rate for sanding East River Road will be $85 each time.
o LEARNED that Young Excavating, contractors for the Cimarron Dr., Postel Dr. and Lil St. Streets Improvement Project, did more work than was required of them and would like to be paid an additional $3,287. Bruce Brotherton, public works supervisor, noted that they did a very nice job in a timely manner. He also noted that the final cost of the project is $129,500, which is below the engineer’s estimate of $137,500. After some discussion, the council approved a motion to offer Young Excavating 50 percent of their requested $3,287.
o APPROVED the Motley Fire Department’s recommendation for the following officers: Chief, Todd Judd; 1st Asst. Chief, Chuck Gerads; 2nd Asst. Chief, Nick Dille; Safety Officers, Kyle Frisk, Mike Zimmerman, Randy Nelson; Training Officers, Birt Hermann, Jim Uhlman, Lonna Dille; Medical Officer, Lonna Dille.
o APPROVED a yearly compensation of $250 for the fire department’s Medical Officer position.
o APPROVED a motion to allow the fire department to proceed in hiring additional firefighters. They currently have 16 firefighters on their roster and are allowed up to 23.
o APPROVED sending two MFD firefighters to a fire-training session.
o APPROVED a request from Motley Police Chief Ron Smith to hire current part-time MPD officer Jason Borash on as a full-time officer. Smith noted that Borash is doing a great job, is well-liked by the community; and has expressed a desire to have this be his full-time job.
o APPROVED reimbursing Officer Borash for motel fees and mileage when he attends a free training for officer certification. The council also approved reimbursing Officer Borash for uniform reimbursement that is owed him for the year 2016.
o LEARNED that city hall will be closed for half a day on Friday, Dec. 23; and all day on Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2, for holiday hours.
o LEARNED that the Oath of Office for newly elected officials will take place Tuesday, Jan. 3. Time still to be determined.
o HEARD from outgoing Mayor Nancy Nieken, who expressed her thanks for the opportunity to serve the City of Motley. Nieken has served on the city council a total of 14 years; the past six as mayor.
o SET next regular council meeting for Monday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.
