Council bids farewell to Russell, passes budget

Kimball City Council reluctantly approved Rosie Russell’s resignation and appointed Katherine Terrill the acting City Clerk at the regular council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Council also set Kimball’s 2017-18 budget and finalized the property tax request.

The budgeted amount for proposed disbursements and transfers totals $12,433,674, nearly double last years actual estimated amount of $6,463,189. Additionally, the council approved $5,799,832 for the cash reserve, totaling $18,233,506.

“We basically lowered our tax rate to compensate for the rise in valuations,” Mayor Keith Prunty said.

The approved property tax request is $474,700, with an approved rate of .409511, down from last year’s rate of .412692.

Council held several special meetings with City Administrator Dan Dean and City of Kimball Treasurer Laurie Sisk during the budget season to strike a balance between the upcoming needs of the community and the expected revenue.

Council recognized the work and time Dean and Sisk committed to the process and again noted that the increased property valuations allowed them to decrease the tax request, maintaining citizen’s tax dollars at last year’s amount.

“I commend everybody, including my fellow councilmen and the mayor,” council member Kim Baliman said. “We put a lot of time into the budget this year for the public and it’s a good, fair budget. There is no “fat” in it that I can see.”

The board then considered, and ultimately approved, the Restricted Fund Lid of 2.5 percent with an additional one percent safety net.

These funds can be used solely for unforeseen needs in certain departments, such as roads, building and utility needs.

“They are certain funds that are the statute that you can only use for a specific purpose,” City Attorney Kent Hadenfeldt said. “The restriction is that we can’t put it into our general fund and use it however we want.”

This fund does not have to be used, and council members struggled to recall a time when it was used, but it must be budgeted to be used in case a need arises.

Council also approved an Event Center lease agreement for Vladimir and Staci Castro, owners of Mi Sinaloa Restaurant in Scottsbluff.

The Castros plan to serve Mexican food on Mondays at the Kimball Event Center as a beta test of sorts. If the service is well-received they will consider purchasing a local establishment and moving their business to Kimball permanently.

To conclude their current business, council regretfully accepted the resignation of Rosie Russell who is planning a move to eastern Nebraska. In Russell’s stead council appointed Katherine Terrill as the acting City Clerk while a replacement is sought.

Other action taken by the board:

Approved Mayor’s appointment of Patty Haier to the Planning Commission to cover Brian Williams’ unexpired term.

Amended the Kimball Municipal Code regarding Board and Commission member absences.

Passed resolution 2017-17 setting vendor and peddler permit fees.