BIG BUDGET CUTS LOOM FOR BRITTON CITY COUNCIL

    At the Britton City Council meeting on Monday night, the next fiscal year’s budget was discussed at length. Mayor Clyde Fredrickson explained that they are anticipating a near $214,000 shortfall based on previous levels of spending and reductions in revenue. This is necessitating cuts as the city plans for the future. 
    Fredrickson noted that discretionary spending in parks and recreation and community contributions will likely be necessary, as well as in other areas. He added that cuts in regular maintenance and health and safety areas are not being considered.
    The council went over various possible cuts that Finance Officer Jennifer Athey had compiled. The cuts ranged from areas like the city’s shredding and rug cleaning services to staffing cuts at the pool or library. Additional areas talked about included putting in cameras at the tree dump rather than staffing it, cutting down the number of budgeted for special meetings and cutting community allocations. 
    Both the pool and library heads went over both large and small possible cuts. It seems likely that the pool will reduce hours and may be closed nights and weekends. The library discussed reducing their budget in the area of staffing and spending on items like new books. 
    Fredrickson stated that asking for donations and contributions from the public for parks and recreation in particular is something that may need to be done more in the future. Board member Lindsey Kimber also stated that the Britton Area Foundation is able to give money to cities and that might be an avenue to explore. 
    The council agreed to budget $35,000 for ‘contingency.’ Such funds cannot be spent on regular projects but can be used in the event an entity goes over budget. Athey added that if Initiated Measure 28 passes during the November election, the budget situation may be even more grave. The measure seeks to eliminate taxes on consumables and local governments and many other sectors of society are concerned with the effect it will have on state, county and city revenue. Athey and Fredrickson noted that they will continue to work on the budget before the October meeting, factoring in possible cuts and the council will return to the matter at the next meeting. 
    The council also handled a resolution to set water and sewer rates. Mayor Clyde Fredrickson pointed out with the monthly fee the city is charged by BDM of over $3,400 and how much they charge water customers, the city was  losing money on water costs. After a lengthy discussion, the council voted to increase both the base water fee and the rate per thousand gallons. The base rate was increased from $18.75 to $24. The rate per thousand gallons was increased from $4.75 to $6.     On their end, the city pays $3.95 per thousand gallons plus the monthly fee of over $3,400. 
    The group approved the tax levy from the county of $585,677. As Fredrickson noted, this is the max amount the city can request from the county based on state law. The levy is only allowed to increase incrementally based on the consumer price index. The amount requested is approximately $20,000 more than last year. 
    The council convened as the zoning board to handle a variance for Amber Schempp. She plans to build a 90 foot by 24-foot storage building on the west side of 14th Avenue, on the corner by Highway 10. She was approved for the variance with an amended setback distance from two to one foot from the west property line. 
    In project updates, ISG engineer Michael Redenbaugh noted that Dahme construction will be testing pipes recently put in for the sewer project next week and paving sections of the roadway in October. The ‘no trucks’ signs may be removed next week depending on weather conditions. 
     The second reading of an ordinance providing requirements for storage containers on commercial or residential property was approved with added language to disallow human or animal habitation.  The measure was subsequently adopted.  Containers will not be allowed after 30 days unless they meet the listed requirements, which would include a four-inch concrete slab. 
    The group talked about adding some sort of barrier or curtain to the Event Center to separate city employees from events. Event Center Coordinator Laken Werner explained that there have been more funerals at the venue recently and having employees in the mix can be awkward. A barrier will be explored and the employees were given permission to work from home in the event of a funeral. 
    The council took up the tree notice issue again regarding whether residents can be notified of tree work in city right of ways adjacent to their yards. Resident Jeanne Ahlgren again asked the council to let residents opt in to a notification system. Public Works Supervisor George Flanery noted that knowing when work crews are going to do tree work is difficult as they can only do it after other work is completed and in certain weather conditions so giving accurate notice can be complicated. Fredrickson also added that given budget concerns, they don’t want to take on new expenses and projects. The possibility of marking trees with paint as a form of notice was discussed. Flanery was going to talk to his crew about that idea or others. 
    Early in the meeting, Tim Dahme was appointed as the Ward 3 council member. He will occupy the seat formerly held by Austin Sasker and will have to petition for the spot next spring and then run for election in 2026 if he wants to remain on the council. 
    Due to Veterans Day and city offices being closed, the council decided to move the November meeting to Wednesday, Nov. 13. The October meeting will be on the regular day, Oct. 14.