Wilson gave the Treasurer's Report as of June 30, 2019.
Township Bank Balance:
Checking Account Balance - $1,513.54 (Outstanding
checks - $620.74)
Savings Account - $167,215.48
Bank CDs - $106,698.92
Petty Cash - $100.00
Total - $274,907.20
Disbursements:
$101,401.93
Payroll: $4,130.77
Total - $105,532.70
The Treasurer stated, "THERE ARE NO RESERVES!"
BUDGET:
The Township is 1/2 way through the year and has paid 6 months'
worth of bills. The City of Lakeville billed $41,371.00 for
the annual fire protection they provide. Farmington bills
quarterly for the fire protection they provide.
Township Administration (Town Board Supervisors, Planning
Commissioners, Treasurer, Deputy Clerk and Clerk)- 72% of the
annual budget has been spent. We are spending $2,500.00 more
per month for Township Administration than budgeted.
Communications - 65% of the budget has been spent.
Town Hall Upkeep - 88% of the budget has been spent. We are
spending $1,100 per month more that what is budgeted.
Miscellaneous (including mileage) - 72% of the annual
budget has been spent.
General Fund - $73,000 currently. June claims are $62,000.
$10,000 needs to be transferred which takes care of the balance
in the General Fund.
Our tax payment income is a little less than $100,000 which
is what we have for the rest of the year in the General Fund plus
any permit income that might come in.
Bridge Fund - $37,000. The Road Contractor bill this month is
$40,000 which will come from this fund.
Roads - Mark Ceminsky
$122,926.00 is left for the rest of the year. There are 4 months of
grading to do. Averaging bills will be $56,000.00 for 4 months
of road grading. $40,000.00 of gravel has not been billed yet. This
will leave $26,926.00 for snow removal for 2 months. Snow
removal last year averaged $32,000 per month.
This year the Township cut way back on gravel due to maintenance
costs. Mark stated, "There is NO money left for dust control."All roads
are in need of grading. Grading is done as needed only!
Two culverts will be replaced in Eureka Estates at the cost of $9,000.00
which does not include asphalt repair. Numerous instances of
ditch cleaning which needs to be completed is not in the budget.
The Township is over on asphalt maintenance by $325.00. Butch Hansen
stated, "We, are at the point where we need to pay regular monthly bills
and no extra."
Supervisor Murphy stated the Township is operating on the levy
that was set the year before. Perhaps the levy approved at the last
Annual Meeting will enable the Township to "catch up." Chair
Palmquist stated the Township is spending more than budgeted.
Treasurer Wilson stated, "There are no reserves to dip into."
Butch Hansen stated, "Cut back on staff hours - work only two days
per week." Chair Palmquist reminded Mr. Hansen that the Township
needs the staff. There are two lights in the lobby which need to be
replaced with LED lighting. The Township will wait until the third
burns out to save replacement costs.
Township Audit: The audit is conducted every two years. The bill
for 2019 is $6,700. The Audit report was positive.
Certificates of Deposit: Earlier, Treasurer Wilson had been directed
by the Board to investigate rates involved in purchasing a CD at the bank.
She stated that things have changed since then and she did not recommend
doing so. The Township might have to cash out a CD as funds are getting
low.
Marcia Wilson suggested the Board look at how the Township is spending
money. She recommended the Township not take on any special projects.
She would like to see someone go through the General Budget line item by
line item to see if there is any way to make cuts. Chair Palmquist and
Supervisor Murphy agreed to meet with Treasurer Wilson to review the budget.
JUST ONE THOUGHT: The Commercial/Industrial "work group"
has spent over $2,500.00 in PHASE I of the C/I zoning study.
At the Open House on July 10 the "work group" was NOT able
to provide answers to the following questions:
1) What are the dollars and cents costs and benefits of a zoning
change?
2) Has a cost analysis been done to determine the expenses to
the citizens?
3) Has a Fiscal Impact Study been done to compare changes in
local government costs against changes in government revenue?
4) What will be the cost of the above studies and other studies
that will be necessary for C/I zoning?
5) Has an analysis of the citizen tax burden been done?
6) How can the Township adequately police industrial zoning
with the current staff? If more staff is needed, how many and the
cost?
7) What would be the increase in cost for fire protection and road
maintenance not done by the C/I businesses?
8) How would the C/I zoning benefit citizens south of 225th? Would
it increase their property values?
The "Financial State of the Township" reported above does not convince
me that the rezoning proposition is financially feasible and beneficial
to the citizens of Eureka Township. The Eureka portion of some
residential property taxes are close to and even over what the C/I use
at Highview and 225th pays to Eureka. Their tax went down from 2018 to
2019.
Stay tuned? Will the Town Board approve Phase II?
A detailed Treasurer's report can be obtained from the Clerk at the
Town Hall.
The above information was taken from the CD copy of the July Town
Board meeting.
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