Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in the Budget Session, developing the 2021 City Budget.  All members were present, along with Finance Director Avis Richter, and City Administrator, Gwen Crawford City Attorney Carl Martineck and other city officials, to discuss the preliminary 2021 City Budget.

City Finance Director, Avis Richter said, one mill, equals $18,100. The increase in one mill is the first since the 2012 city budget.  She said a large decrease in revenue comes from a cut in state funding.

The projected increase  in expenditures in 2021 are put at $172,000.

The budget to fund a new city fire department pumper truck, when it becomes necessary,  is reduced annually from $75, 000 to $50,000.

City Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said all the pumper trucks passed the recent inspection, and any replacement is not needed at this time.

Highlights of the meeting included employee health insurance, in keeping the premiums affordable, to retain and recruit city employees.  Discussed was the employee contributions, plus HSA payroll contributions for health care expenses. The City has been under the full insurance plan, and in the 2021 budget, the employee will continue with contributions, along with city contributions.  The City Employee Share was discussed at a 10-percent increase.

With salaries, the cost of living increase was discussed.  Avis said at the outset the COLA increase was not in the budget.  At Tuesday’s meeting, the COLA increase was approved at 2.5 percent,. Employees will receive their salary step increase at the end of the calendar year.  It was noted that the 2021 budget expenditures are estimated at 3.4-million dollars, with the increases in health insurance, COLA increases at about $50,000.

The salary and benefits of the new position of new engineers position is included in a 25-perecent increase in the public works budget.  75 percent from the General Fund Budget.  It is also possible to Special Assess the revenue source.

The Street Department Fund shows a decrease in the state highway tax of about 20-percent.  The snow removal expenditure is budgeted for $120,000.

With revenue, it was pointed out that the funds, from the Homestead Credit Act will be coming back to the city from the state dollar for dollar.

Transfer of funds in operating budgets are being reviewed as well.

The meeting was recorded by CSi Cable 68 and is showing in replay.

The Wednesday budget meeting is planned for Wednesday, at 7-a.m., at City Hall, departments and other budget requests will be heard.

The budget meeting will continue on Thursday this week.