RANIER — The Ranier City Council Monday approved the same total budget and tax levy for 2010 as was established for this year.
The newly adopted budget for 2010 has the city spending $176,954, a total that will be balanced by the same amount in proposed revenue.
The largest expenses for the city are $42,500 in salary and wages for the city clerk and deputy city clerk and $35,000 in salaries and wages for the highway and street crew.
The largest sources of revenue planned for the city are $30,850 in general property taxes, $22,931 in local government aid, and $94,957 in funds transferred from the liquor store.
The city of Ranier will not raise property taxes next year. The $30,850 in general property tax levy collectible in 2010 is the same as was collected for this year.
“I think it’s pretty good that you’re able to do that,” said Arden Barnes, Ranier resident, about not raising property taxes and balancing the budget.
The council also heard an update from Ranier City Clerk Kim Nuthak about a hearing on an annexation proposal.
She said she was recently notified that there will be a preliminary hearing on Sep. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Ranier Community Building in regard to the orderly annexation of nearby Jameson and French additions, and other areas. Nuthak said that the hearing will not include any public comment, but will instead have a member of the Office of Administrative Hearings staff putting pertinent documents into public record.
After this meeting, an administrative law judge will be scheduled, which will allow for public testimony and a decision to be made on annexation.
Nuthak said that this follows the mandates set forth by the state. She said that a notice will be placed in The Daily Journal prior to each meeting with the Office of Administrative Hearings, concurrent with state law.
The council accepted a revised proposal to plant 12 trees in the Ranier park.
Originally, the estimate from Sjoblom Landscape & Nursery was for three trees each of four species: silver queen maple, bass wood, northwood maple and sienna glen maple. Barnes informed the council that the silver maple is known to spread its roots above ground, and Councilor John Walls agreed.
Instead of the silver maple, the council agreed to plant a total of six of the northwood maple. This raises the price from $961.75 to $1021.75 plus tax.
Ranier Mayor Ed Oerichbauer said the trees would replace dying ash trees in the park and protect against the possible threat from emerald ash borer. Buildings, Streets and Grounds Committee minutes show that the city has at least 75 percent ash trees currently and hopes to reduce that percentage.
Ranier resident Marjorie Brenning suggested that local families may want to sponsor the planting of a tree in memory of a deceased family member. The council agreed that this was a good idea and would work with the current benches in the park.
