NW Illinois News

City of Fulton City Council met Feb. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Budget Workshop Meeting

Meeting was called to order by Mayor Wendy Ottens at 5:30 p.m. On roll call, Alderpersons Burggraaf, Wilkin, Boonstra, King, Mask, Banker, Brondyke and VanKampen were present. Police Chief Neblung, Public Works Director Sikkema, Business Manager Garibay and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

Budget Discussion

Business Manager Tammy Garibay presented the Council with a 2nd draft of the new budget.

She stated that Public Works Director Sikkema has added some items. Also, that she and Chief Neblung had worked on it extensively.

Budget to Actuals on all accounts were run on all accounts.

Garibay said the budget shows the bottom line of $17.000.00. Out of that, $8,800.00 will need to go towards the cost of codification. That still leaves the bottom line at $8,328.00 to the good.

The line item for the website if for a year’s worth of maintenance and annual fees. It is being recommended that $9500.00 additional come out of the 25% cannabis fund.

As far as expenses, the City Administrator’s $82,000.00 is in there as well as the website and codification expenses. The Council will need to decide about the $25,000.00 in funds for the geo-thermal needed at the Windmill Cultural Center. This amount is in this budget. Discussion was held on the present geo-thermal system.

Discussion was held on the Windmill Cultural Center, its funds and being a City entity, financial reports should be requested by the City. Funds given by the City to the Cultural Center and the Windmill were discussed.

Public Works Director discussed the MFT monies and that they do not cover the cost for road repairs that are needed. The biggest expense out of MFT is road salt. Sikkema is going to work with Willet Hofmann to firm up these numbers.

Business Manager Garibay pointed out some areas on the budget draft that are highlighted in red. Those are questions for the Council. 

Garibay pointed out that there is $15,000.00 in the Video Gaming fund. This is for painting the house at Heritage Canyon and a kitchen update. Also for other canyon repairs such as replacing the church floor, picnic tables, surveillance cameras for the parks, and half the cost of labor for the bandshell.

While working on the budget it was brought to their attention that Fund 38 was never added to the budget by the past city administrator. It is in there now. This is revenue from Cannabis sales.

25% of the revenue for projects has $60,000.00, the 75% of the funds are for infrastructure and that is at $175,000.00 and $12,000.00 for cannabis licenses.

The Council can also, under a zoning ordinance, charge the new Grow Facility a license fee. That is a Council decision.

Discussion was held regarding industrial hemp versus marijuana.

Alderperson Brondyke questioned the Operating Supplies line item. Chief Neblung explained that it is for office supplies, paper, postage, etc. Garibay said a detailed ledger was run on that line item and if anyone would like to stop by City Hall, they may look at it. Alderperson Brondyke thanked them for the clarification.

Chief Neblung and Business Manager Garibay both agree that the City budget is doing well. Anything extra at the end of the year, the auditors will add it to the City’s reserve funds.

Public Works Director Eric Sikkema is recommending an increase in water/sewer rates. This is a result of increases in costs; chemicals, water testing, etc. There were no increases last year.

Discussion was held on the garbage rates and if the City needs to raise the administrative fees for garbage services. Discussion was also held on alternative garbage service providers.

A date needs to be set for the next budget meeting. Possibly right after the next Council meeting.

Mayor made a motion to adjourn. Alderperson King, so moved. All were in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/budget-workshop-minutes-feb-12-2024.html