NW Illinois News

City of Fulton City Council met Jan. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Budget Workshop Meeting

Meeting was called to order by Mayor Wendy Ottens at 8:50 a.m. On roll call, Alderpersons Burggraaf, Wilkin, Boonstra, King, Mask and Brondyke were present.  Alderpersons VanKampen and Banker were absent. Police Chief Neblung, Public Works Director Sikkema, Business Manager Garibay and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

Budget Discussion

City Business Manager Tammy Garibay opened the budget discussion with the presentation of the budget worksheet packets. Each council person was given information pertaining to the budget; Revenues with Comparison to Budget report and a Draft Budget Workbook.

Business Manager Garibay went through each budget line item for the city’s different funds. She stated that these figures are as of January 31, 2023, meaning there are still 3 more months to go in this budget.

REVENUES - Line items being:

Property Taxes - including Street Lighting, Road & Bridge Tax (comes from Fulton Township), Police Protection Tax

Licenses & Permits - Liquor & Other Licenses, Cable Franchise Fee

Source 33 - Building Permits (revenue way up because of property sold to Dan Dolan for the grow facility), Other Permits (these usually come from a Municipality’s Schedule of Fees). Fulton does have a Schedule of Fees but it has not been enforced for year’s. Tammy Garibay will get a copy of what we presently have for Council members to look over.

Sales & Usage Taxes - Hotel/Motel Tax (way up from previous years, the best it’s ever been), State Income Tax, Replacement Tax (personal property tax - will not increase, State overpaid Municipalities for last 2 years, they are not recuperating those overpayments), Utility Tax (comes from Jo Carroll and ComEd), Sales Tax is doing well, people are spending money (with 3 more months to go in this budget), Use Tax (on-line purchases).

Police Dept. - Fines (City Ordinance Violations), PD Reports/Fees/Registry (accident reports, fingerprinting), PD Administrative Penalties (Tows, not towing as many cars as they used to), Liens.

Misc. Revenues - General Fund Interest (works with the 01-01-389 Miscellaneous Fund, revenues received that have no specific line item to go to are put in here, usually to be used at a later date, such as insurance reimbursements. By putting these funds here, there is a good paper trail in order to track these funds).

Rental - Cattail rentals, US Cellular, Jo-Carroll, & Sand Prairie pay rent for antennas on our water tower.

Heritage Canyon Donations - Box donations, wedding chapel usage, monetary private donations given to Heritage Canyon.

Andresen Center Donations - Has a low budget, but many private donations and support for programs.

Police Hire Back Income - SRO (School Resource Officer) Jeremy Leitzen’s overtime.

General Fund Donations - All anonymous donations to the City or Police Department.

SRO Income - Money we receive from the River Bend School District for part of our SRO’s salary.

Miscellaneous  - Again, works with fund 01-01-381 to track money that comes into the City that does not have an appropriate line item. This makes it easier to track these funds.

Other Misc Revenues:

Salvage/Surplus Sales - Public Works salvage for scrap. Excess vehicles and equipment.

PD Vehicle Fund -

Interfund Transfers - Admin Fees - Auditors will use this fund to make transfers.

Public Works Director, Eric Sikkema spoke regarding the water and sewer funds. He went over Water Sales, Tap on Fees, Meter Sales and Storm Sewer Sales.

Alderperson Mask asked how the City is doing with the sewers. Sikkema explained the logistics of the City’s system.

Sikkema also stated that he recommends raising the water/sewer rates this year. It was not raised last year, but normally is raised on a yearly basis. Business Manager Garibay is aware of this request and believes the increase will be on the June 1st water/sewer bills.

This gives plenty of time to inform the public that rates will be increasing.

Eric Sikkema said the City’s water/sewer rates are one of the lowest in the area. Garibay said in the past, she has done a comparison with surrounding cities and we have one of the lowest rates.

Sikkema said the City is going to start buying new water meters. Meters usually last 15-20 years and they do go bad. He will be replacing meters in stages, eventually the whole town will have new meters. He said the new meters are more accurate and the technology is better.

Eric explained the various other line items such as Equipment, Vehicle Replacement Fund, Mapping (this is the GIS mapping) and the Hydrant Program. He also explained that the Miscellaneous Expenses line item was up because of the cost of the 13th Avenue sewer replacement and the replacing of various pumps.

Eric went on to explain the Marina’s budget. He said revenues are down, but most of this revenue hasn’t been collected yet. A lengthy discussion was held on the future of the Marina.

Business Manager Garibay explained the Budget WorkBook handout. Chief Neblung, Eric Sikkema and Garibay all plugged in their numbers and it was a collaborative effort putting this together.

Garibay went on to explain some of the line items and the changes that were made.

Chief Neblung explained police department fines and how that works with the State. He also explained the SRO Income and how it works with the River Bend School District.

Garibay stated all the items that have to come out of the General Fund.

Next, discussion was held on hiring or not hiring a new City Administrator. There is money budgeted for this in the new budget, but is the City going to need this or are we going to let Department heads take over this position?

Garibay said the Council will have to make this decision. A discussion was held by all present on the pros and cons of having or not having a City Administrator. Opinions were divided and further discussion will be needed.

Alderperson Wilkin asked the three department heads what their opinion was regarding the hiring of a City Administrator. Business Manager Garibay, Police Chief Neblung and Public Works Director all agreed that a new City Administrator is not needed.

Garibay reached out to our auditors in regards to a City Administrator. They will come in, at no expense to the City, and give us their opinions on whether or not we need a City Administrator.

Discussion was held on a date for the next budget meeting.

Chief Neblung reinforced the fact that the City Council absolutely needs to make a decision on a City Administrator soon. That is top priority because that is going to affect how we finish this budget.

Mayor made a motion to adjourn. All were in favor. Meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m.

https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/city-of-fulton-budget-workshop-meeting-minutes-jan-27-2024.html