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City cuts outlay funds to balance insurance jump
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Outlay funding was sacrificed to a nearly $60,000 health insurance hike in the City of Chetek's 2010 budget.
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City council members adopted the final draft at their Nov. 10 meeting. The total tax levy was $ $1,193,675, an increase of 2.5 percent, or $29,114, over 2009.
The levy has inched up 3.5 percent in the past three years.
A 38-percent increase in employee health insurance coverage drove up the total, Clerk/treasurer Carmen Newman said. To offset the hike, cuts were made to police, community center and building outlay accounts.
This year's leftover money was shifted to cover utilities at the community center and fund an account for a future police vehicle.
Expenses were shaved off other accounts, Newman said. There will be no funding for sidewalks in 2010, and the city is not contributing to a retirement expense account. A proposed $1,000 addition to the Fourth of July fireworks contribution was removed.
Most of the budget-balancing maneuvers have a one-year shelf life, Newman commented. The city won't be able to avoid allocating to outlay accounts next year, or infrastructure will suffer.
Newman plans to begin shopping for a new insurance company. Like most public- and private-sector employers, the city changes providers every few years when rates start to skyrocket.
Insurance deductibles were set in union contracts and could not be changed, she said.
Council members also approved a resolution to apply delinquent accounts and special assessments to the tax roll.
Venue approval
The council approved use of Main Street Park for a live Nativity Dec. 12. Chetek Alliance Church and The Refuge are cooperating on the event.
Water problems
To address a water run-off complaint at a Woodard Street residence, council members passed a motion permitting removal of one South Street driveway at the Mavis Dodge home and the digging of a shallow ditch. Cost to the city is $150.
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©The Chetek Alert 2010
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