Village Board Reviewed DPW Proposed Budget, Village Salaries

By Mary Ann Inman, REPORTER

 Village President, Connie Tracy, called the meeting to order on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Board Trustees present were: Ron Torkilson, Art Bushue, and Dennis Nielson. Jeanette Troha, Sonja Capes, and Dina Knibbs were absent. Acting Administrator/Police Chief Dave Hooker was present. DPW Director Roger Johnson. Village Engineer Tim Kienbaum, Treasurer/Clerk Pam Franseen, Library Director Mary Bieber, and one other citizen were present.

After opening procedures, routine committee reports were followed by a request from Hooker to work with Jim Brewer on plans to have high school students get involved in local government. The Board granted consent to pursue plans. The Board agreed that we need to get young people involved in the future, not the past. Keinbaum talked about street repairs for Burr Street, Burr Court, Eastland Avenue, 100 block of High Street and the 200 block of Milwaukee Street. The 2017 Budget has $715,000 earmarked for street repair.

Johnson reported on proposed capital improvement projects as follows: Well #3 and #4 costs including contingency ($1,470,815), Lift station 1 and 2 construction costs including contingency ($904,362), 2017 water/sewer ($567,000), required phosphorous optimization ($20,000), replacement of dump truck ($30,000), and replacement of red water utility vehicle ($30,000). After discussion, the Board approved budget details as presented.

Chief Hooker talked about future plans to negotiate the Fire Department budgeting process. Currently, the Village pays 50 percent of the department’s total budget shared with the Townships. Fire Chief John Rindfleisch requested and received an additional $48,000 this year mostly to cover EMS wages. The Board authorized Connie Tracy to sign the contract with the District Fire Department. Next the Board approved action allowing Tracy to sign a letter to give Batterman & Associates authority to submit DNR permits on behalf of the Village.

The following resolution listing the rate of compensation or salaries for Village employees and elected officials and establishing non-bargaining contributions to health care premiums was approved.

Salary compensation without benefits are as follows: Acting Administrator $17,000 annual, Clerk/Treasurer $54,000 annual,  Deputy Clerk $12.75 per hour, Cleaning person $9.50 per hour, Director of Public Works $67,584 annual, Public Works Foreman $26.87 per hour, Wastewater Operators $25.02 and $23.02 per hour, Compost Operator $9.50 per hour and seasonal employees. Chief of Police $63,000 annual, Patrol officers $28.61, $27.33, and $21.13 per hour, Part-time officers range from $15 to $ $15.80 per hour. Rates listed for Police Officers reflect pay/benefits paid within labor agreements. Salaries for the Board are as follows: Village President $3,000 annual, Trustees $1,200 annual, and Judge $12,800 annual.

There were no invoices to approve. Checks and invoices were approved. The meeting adjourned without closed session.