03-23-2022 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MARCH 23, 2022 • Approval of the Vouchers • Approve Contract with RES Pyro for Canadian Days Fireworks on July 29 & 30, 2022 The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Torkelson. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution adopted. 4th QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT AND YEAR-END CLOSE The Finance Director stated that the auditors will be coming in May to give their presentation about the City's 2021 annual comprehensive financial report. She explained that budget revenues continue to be at the lowest percentage of budget collected when compared to the last five years. This is due to the sheriff's reimbursement that was not received in 2021. She stated that 2020 revenues were higher than previous years due to the one-time CARES Act fund and FEMA reimbursement funds that were received in 2020. The Finance Director reported that property tax collections were 99.22% for 2021, which is the highest level in the last 5 years. She stated liquor license revenue reflects the reduction in fees that were granted to acknowledge the loss of sales that these establishments experienced during the pandemic. The number of building permits issued in 2021 are higher than 2020, but valuation of the building permits is trending lower than 2020. This is causing the permit revenue to be lower than 2020. The Finance Director reported that fine revenue was higher in 2021 when compared to 2020, since there was a decrease in. traffic stops at the beginning of the pandemic, and investment income is down due to the low interest rate environment that continued to occur in 2021. The Finance Director reported that As of December 31 st, actual expenditures are at 95.77% of the budget. She noted this is the lowest percentage in the last five years. She explained that the lower percentage of expenditures to budget can largely be attributed to savings in the public works department for salt purchase savings, and salary savings from the Public Works Maintenance position that was vacant during the 1 st half of 2021. Fischer introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOL UTION NO. 2022-3-44 —ACCEPT THE 4TH QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL REPORT AS PRESENTED The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by McGraw. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. 2021 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENTS The Finance Director stated that the Council is requested to consider amending the 2021 General Fund budget for activity that was not included in the Original 2021 Budget. She explained that the City is required by State Statute to pay the Fire Relief Association for all the payments received by the City from the State of Minnesota for the Fire Relief Aid. The City budgeted $58,000 for Fire Relief Aid, but received $70,980, so staff is proposing to increase the revenue and expenditure account by $12,980. The Finance Director reported that emerald ash borer (EAB) was discovered in the City in 2021, and the Canadian Days Committee donated $6,556 for the removatof several trees in Spooner 0