Littlefork finances in good shape

The report was given by Dan Zierke of Miller McDonald accounting firm at the Littlefork City Council meeting June 18.

The report shows assets of the city exceeded liabilities at the end of 2008 by $3.4 million. Net assets increased by almost 11 percent from the previous year. Governmental funds reported balances of $748,000 and 63 percent of this amount is available for spending at the city’s discretion. The unreserved fund balance for the general fund is reported at $243,500 — 71 percent of the total general fund expenditures of $342,670.

The 2009 revenues for the Littlefork Liquor Store are also strong. City Administrator Mike Fairchild reports its current net sales for May at $42,590, up $7,800 from May 2008. The monthly profit is reported at $6,855 and the year-to-date profit is $20,346. The Liquor Store Committee will review the job descriptions and schedules of the store’s employees to achieve a better balance, Fairchild reports.

In other business, discussion continued on the Littlefork Ambulance Service facility. The facility and the operation of the service has been a ongoing topic for the city.

The council was given an estimate of approximately $70,000 for the building of an improved ambulance facility. That estimate is for the construction of two ambulance bays on the existing Littlefork Fire Station. The Building Committee will review the estimate and the council will begin looking at financing for the project, according to Fairchild.

The council adopted the ambulance service’s 2009 tax levy in the amount of $46,000, the same amount as in 2009. It also approved the 2010 ambulance service budget at $139,500, with only a slight increase over the prior year.

A one-year, leave-of-absence was granted to ambulance service secretary Elisa Klemetson.

The council continues to review the language of the ambulance service bylaws and constitution. It recently approved a revised ordinance pertaining to its operation and organization. However, bylaws and the ordinance still show inconsistencies, according to Fairchild.

He said he believes the confusion started with some slight inconsistencies at the inception of the service in 1987. “Since then, little things change,” Fairchild added about the accumulated imbalance of the languages today.

A previous municipal ambulance service was operated through the now-defunct Littlefork Hospital until it closed in 1985.

Fairchild presented those issues to the Koochiching County Board Tuesday for review. The county understands the city’s concerns, he said, and Commissioner Mike Hanson will assist the several entities involved to achieve congruence in the matter.

The statue of Jackpine Savage will be improved. Fairchild reports that Littlefork Lions Club will raise money to help finance the project. He has been instructed to look into the possibility of a new statue made of more durable materials.

“It’s sad not to build a statue [named] ‘Jackpine Savage’ out of wood,” Fairchild said, “but we can’t keep restoring it every few years.”

Several city lawns need mowing, and letters will be sent to property owners regarding the city’s ordinance, according to Fairchild.

Maintenance Department Director Keith Barstad and council members Glen Weigold and Loren Lehman met recently at City Park for observation, Fairchild said. The council approved the $3,700 purchase of a new combination swing-set with eight swings for the park. The new equipment replaces two previous swing sets; one of which was destroyed in a wind storm and the other which will be reinstalled at Lofgren Park.

The council agreed to support a request from property owners Richard Merkling, Bonnie Horne and Eddie Williams to appeal to the county for the paving of County Road 169. The road abuts Highway 217 and County Road 22.

The council voted not to be a member of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities, Fairchild said.

The city continues to seek a new pound master.

Littlefork

Fire Department

The Littlefork Fire Department met for its annual meeting Monday. No public members of the taxing district attended, according to Fire Chief Dan Wendt.

A proposed 2010 budget of approximately $58,000 was approved and will be presented to the Littlefork City Council.

Four of the department’s rural fire directors were reinstated, Wendt said. And newly nominated as a rural director for the Highway 65 area is Kevin Leersson. Ongoing directors and their areas are Dennis Lagergren, Ray; Judy Gielarowski, County Road 8 area; Jim Rasmussen, Forsythe area; and Ron Fiedler, Meadowbrook.

There are a total of 25 volunteers with the department and they meet for training monthly at the Littlefork Fire Hall, as they did Monday. Officials for the department are Wendt, Mike Fort, assistant chief; Mike LaClair, secretary treasurer; and Bruce Grotberg, training officer.