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by DENISE MARTIN

The city budget for North Branch general fund could go from $8 million to $12 million next year— if the city council adopted all the departments desired,  and  acted immediately.  But, as Mayor Schieber said during last week’s budget workshop, it isn’t realistic to think the budget will jump by 50 percent in one year.  The $12 million is just an ideal, in a world where money is no object.  Schieber added, however,  the council does need to address a budget sum that “gets departments back on track.”  

And, nearly every department has requested budget increases.

North Branch has not been keeping up on its fleet management plan and the police,  for example, need eight squads to catch up in the scheduled rotation of vehicles.  Staff informed council squads are estimated  at $63,000 fully equipped.  The department also wants to hire one more officer in 2025.

And, the city instituted a franchise fee,  collected within energy companies’ billing  and then distributed back to the city, but revenues have not been sufficient to support a true pavement management schedule.  Public Works also had to absorb costs of street lighting— which the former Water & Light municipal utility did not charge against the city budget, explained Public Works Director Shawn Williams.

City Administrator Lynda Woulfe advised council during the work session on the budget last week, that North Branch ought to be “thinking about” a streets improvement plan as well as pavement maintenance needs.  The city would be wise to be building an account to help fund these in the future.

Council also has to weigh the potential to add nine full time staff and one part time specialist and their benefits, vehicles, etc.  The preliminary budget depicts which departments need staffing up.

There’s also proposals for a fire tanker, a pickup truck, snowplow, mowing equipment, and replacing the digital reader board at Hwys 95 and 30.

All these proposals are just that—proposed.  

Administrator Woulfe said council needs to meet at least three more times to brainstorm the 2025 budget and agree on  “standards for services” the council is willing to pay for.  Some proposed budget expenses are “value decisions” and some are must-haves.

North Branch expects its residential property overall valuation for next year,  and what this can generate in the taxation formula,  to drop a small amount.  

The county assessor and auditor/treasurer advised to plan on a small downward adjustment in the city’s valuations,  due to the lackluster real estate market, council was told. 

Sharon Wright, finance director, said North Branch’s growth or  new build valuations are expected to come in around $36 million,  on pace with recent activity in North Branch. But the assessed market valuation— which is calculated on actual market figures is probably dipping by two or two-and-a-half percent.

The city will see the newest property valuation estimates in a couple weeks or so.

North Branch had good reserves (balances) in recent audits and Mayor Kevin Schieber asked if there’s sufficient balances to tap into for one time expenses, to ease the budget impact.  Staff will bring those balance estimates to the next workshop session.

Cities must have preliminary maximum 2025 budget and levy numbers adopted by mid-September.  The county mails next year notices of property tax based on these early numbers.  The final levy and budget is adopted in December, for next year. 

Council member Robert Canada was absent for the budget workshop but arrived for the regular council session held immediately afterwards.

Land Use issues on deck

Main actions on the regular agenda included, approving a plan for Members Cooperative Credit Union to use the site of the former Minnco, on Ninth.  Three lots are being combined and Members Credit Union will locate on one lot—with the new second one vacant, for sale. There’s an access being added onto Maple Street.

~ The vocational trades training site plan, that the city planning commission held a public hearing on and supported (story Press July 25) is coming to council August 15 for action.

~ Design standards for “zone 3” parcels for industrial uses,  were adopted, to allow for certain existing conditions to now be in compliance.  Mayor Schieber apologized to business people who were being negatively impacted by design standards resulting in their structures being non-compliant.  He said “...council is listening...I’m sorry this took so long.”

The use of post frame style and other exterior design standards were addressed in amending ordinances to more accurately reflect “common sense” the mayor added.

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