City employees get 3-percent increase; no increase in levy
With the oaths of office still to be administered, the Littlefork City Council Thursday appointed Michael Fort and Kevin Sather to two councilor terms which were recently left vacant by Noel Schroeder and Glenn Weigold.
Fort and Sather applied and were approved for the council positions, of which each has one year remaining in the term.
In positions also made vacant by those resignations, Councilor Sandy Heem will serve the remaining 2009 short term of representative on the Littlefork Medical Center board; and City Administrator Mike Fairchild will serve as the airport manager. Both of those annual positions will require renewal in January.
Littlefork’s city employees will receive a 3-percent cost of living increase, according to Fairchild. The raises are variable, with percentages applied to the current pay scale of each employee.
The council approved the city’s 2010 general fund budget which shows a decrease of approximately $300,000, Fairchild said. The council also approved the tax levy payable in 2010, in the amount of $100,000 — the same levy figure that has been approved for the last three years.
Fairchild reports that several cost estimates have now been received for the fiberglass replacement of the city’s Jackpine Savage statue. The range of the estimates is from $10,000 to $30,000, Fairchild said, adding that the specifications for the character will be compared to ascertain that they are “apples to apples” cost quotes before a final decision is approved.
The council Thursday approved the amount of $2,500 to the Littlefork Garden Club for improvements to be made by the club to a flag park in the city. The council also awarded $1,000 to the Littlefork All Class Reunion for operational funding of the 2010 celebration.
Discussion was continued on the finalization of a plan for an improved ambulance facility, and Fairchild said specifications will soon be sent to architect Jim Cowgill.
A mock Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection will guide the city’s ambulance compliance review, Fairchild said, and a consultant was approved for hiring.
The Littlefork Municipal Liquor Store shows a $39,000 overall profit for 2009, reported Fairchild, which is an increase over the previous year.
The board approved a $1,500 fee for a professionally designed government Web site, and an annual amount of $400 for maintenance of that site.
Littlefork City Hall will close at noon on Christmas Eve.
