Thursday, May 01, 2008

City approves deficit budget

Thursday, May 01, 2008 - Posted 1:12:37 PM
The Minonk City Council approved a deficit budget Wednesday night at a special council meeting. The estimated revenues were $2,709,598 and the estimated expenses were $3,015,844 for a projected shortfall of $306,246.

Alderman Sean Cunningham said that going through this 50 page budget these last several weeks has been a very educational enlightening experience that he did not appreciate fully until this year. He said that there is more to this than you think and without having a city administrator this year was very interesting to see it all.

Cunningham reported that everything is covered in the budget and expenses are $300,000 more than our revenue.   He said a lot of that has to do with the fact that the City will be buying a new ambulance, a new police car, and an appropriation of a great deal of TIF II funds this year.   He said "It is a balanced budget unless you count those capital items and I am happy with how it all came out."

Mayor Bill Koos said that the City is also doing over $80,000 worth of preventive maintenance at the sewer plant which has been over due for some time.

Prior to the special council meeting there was an open meeting for the public to comment on the budget.  There were no comments.
                        Viewer comments on this article

jaf11 wrote on 5/9/2008 at 16:52:39

I think the city is spending our money wisely tihsho, and as far as the mayor and his common sense, he seems to have alot.  The garbage contract has upset alot of people, but thank your alderman they voted for it, not the mayor, he has no vote!
JhlbeP wrote on 5/8/2008 at 17:35:21

anyone notice the red recycling dumpster behind city hall? i bet they won't recycle whats in there either
tihsho wrote on 5/8/2008 at 16:46:08

I guess I am the only one concerned that we are spending more than we make. That kind of money management is a great example of this mayors lack of common sense.  Does anyone know if we are still paying our former administrater and police chief? Neither position has yet been filled ,properly.
IronMask wrote on 5/8/2008 at 13:46:12

 Thank you, Free2Beme!  I was not aware, and I exceed many of the new rules quite often.  Oddly, when these notes were being distributed, I had a last minute bag to run out.  I handed it directly over to the man, and he did not bother to hand me a notice, nor did I receive one taped to either of my 80 gallon trash cans. Hmmm???
gerdie wrote on 5/8/2008 at 10:35:32

Seems to me that maybe the city should just drop the garbage contract and let each residence choose their own company.  It is obvious that Tomlison is not pleasing everyone. As a homeowner I think it would only be right to be able to choose your provider and there are definately better ones. El Paso does not have contracts. They have several companies to choose from.
Free2Bme wrote on 5/8/2008 at 08:49:40

Part 2 of 2:
3. All cardboard boxes must be broken down and stacked alongside garbage cans (no problem with that).
4. Placed at curb no later than 6 am.  Contractor shall handle all approved homeowners containers with reasonable care (um, right).
5 Complaints shall first be filtered through City Hall.
--Do you know that they never recycled the recycling?  They ended up taking it to landfills with regular garbage, but we got charged for it.  From what I hear, they've discontinued curbside recycling, but find nothing in writing.--We should have received notice before this went into effect. I could have at least pitched my unacceptable 45 gallon cans with city-wide cleanup.
Free2Bme wrote on 5/8/2008 at 08:48:09

New guidelines, which states that both parties have mutually agreed upon (split into 2 comments due to 1000 char limit).Part 1 of 2: 1.  Only household waste...items heavier than 40 pounds have to be arranged for a fee
2.  All acceptable garbage must be in an appropriate  container or garbage bags no larger than 35 gallons. A LIMIT OF (4) 35 GALLON GARBAGE CANS OR 8 GARBAGE BAGS PER HOUSEHOLD PER WEEK.  No garbage can or garbage bag is to exceed 40 pounds. (here's the kicker) Any garbage can larger than 35 gallons in size will not be accepted. (I have a BIG problem with this--been using 45 gallon cans for 10 yrs)

JhlbeP wrote on 5/7/2008 at 19:19:06

did anyone else notice they collection the red bins too...they had a regular pick up truck out collection them
emo wrote on 5/7/2008 at 03:30:28

Telling me to come clean and give my real name?  I know your parents didn't name you Jaf11
IronMask wrote on 5/7/2008 at 06:54:11

 Could someone please share what those papers attached to most of the garbage cans said?  I did not receive one.
Free2Bme wrote on 5/6/2008 at 19:44:53

I'm with Emo! Tomlinson's changed requirements behind our backs, according to the note left, the city agreed to this. We are getting charged more for less service! Residents were given NO advance notice and these were left taped to our abandoned trash cans, that we've used every week for ten years. which are now apparently TOO LARGE for Tomlinson's to handle now. Who is going to pay for my new cans, which will just be tossed around by their careless employees? Better yet, I should just leave my 8 maximum bags of trash out there and Tomlinson's better pick up the pieces left from the stray dogs. I would like to thank Brian Peterson for all his help personally making sure everyone's abandoned trash was taken care of. All of your dedication will pay off!  I'll be at the next council meeting and hope everyone else is too! I urge everyone to call your council representative.  We were sorely misrepresented.

jaf11 wrote on 5/6/2008 at 14:27:07

This is in response to Emo's comments that he just can't keep to himself.  I am tired of hearing nothing but negative comments from you about this city and the city officials.  Why don't you come clean and tell us who you are and why don't you run for office, if you think you can do better?  Step up to the plate and show us what you can do!
emo wrote on 5/6/2008 at 13:43:20

Besides running our city in the hole.  I see they messed up the garbage collection.  But they were quick to charge us the extra money for the company not to pick up garbage.

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