Utility dept. recognized by MPCA

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The New York Mills City Council received its annual year-end audit that showed the cash balance in the general fund dipped slightly last year, especially after the city made a few big purchases for public safety and continued to expand the South Point housing project. 

During its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 8, the NY Mills City Council heard from Courtney Mosloski, of Eide Bailly, concerning its 2024 budget. 

Last year the city received just over $323,000 more than it had budgeted for in revenue. The lion share of that additional money came  from of intergovernmental receipts from things like the utility department and liquor store transfers to the general fund. Those transfers help offset expenses in the general fund to keep taxes down and fund various entities in the city. 

Meanwhile, the city also overspent its budget by just over $838,000, or 60.5 percent. Much of those additional expenses came from public safety and the streets department. 

The public safety department overspent its budget by $368,346, which was largely due to the purchase of a new firetruck, while the streets department overspent its budget by $392,092 due in large part to costs associated with the South Point project. 

Despite expenses exceeding revenue last year by $126,855, NY Mills still has a positive fund balance, which Mosloski said can lead to a favorable bond rating, produces income and working capital, as well as offers a cushion for unexpected expenditures or revenue shortfalls. 

Another highlight comes from the amount of money in reserves for the city. The Minnesota Office of the State Auditor offers a guideline to have no less than five months of expenditures, or 35-50 percent of operating funds. Even with expenses exceeding revenues last year, the city still maintains an unrestricted fund balance of 60 percent of total expense. 

In other news

• Accepted a $1,000 donation from the NY Mills VFW to put towards the NY Mills Senior Center Stove Project. 

• Approved raising the cost of private swimming lessons by $5 per half hour.

• Acknowledged a certificate of commendation for the NY Mills Wastewater Treatment Facility and its staff after the facility was recognized by the MPCA for operational excellence. 

• Heard the monthly call report for the NY Mills Police Department that showed 128 calls for service, four citations, 30 parking citations and nine warnings during March. Three new radios have been programmed and commissioned into service, while three old radios have been taken out of service for the police department. 

• Heard the utility department is getting the park buildings ready for the season. When overnight temperatures stay above freezing the department will turn on the water at each location. The department has also gathered the picnic tables to make repairs with four new tables being constructed to replace tables that were rotten or badly damaged.