RANIER — The Ranier City Council heard and approved the 2008 financial statement during their regular meeting Monday night.
According to accountant Don Zierke from Miller McDonald Inc., Ranier has a “healthy fund balance.”
The 2008 governmental fund total liabilities and fund balance was $100,220. The 2008 total liabilities and fund balance for the proprietary enterprise funds (including the liquor store and water, sewer utilities) was $538,874.
The net assets for the liquor enterprise fund rose from $119,364 at the start of 2008 to $134,954 at year end. The water utility enterprise fund rose from $228,681 to $336,817 in 2008.
The general fund balance fell from $102,574 to $98,374 last year. However, Zierke said that this loss was expected in the budget and was less than was anticipated.
The city of Ranier’s total net assets as of December 2008 were $635,195.
In other business, Mayor Ed Oerichbauer proposed that both the Spruce Street dock, which is currently closed, and the city tennis courts be repaired.
He presented the council with an estimate from John Arnold in the amount of $40,000 to replace and extend the dock, which includes $25,000 in materials and $15,000 in labor. The council accepted the bid. The dock is to be extended 12 feet and will be adjustable, according to Oerichbauer.
In a related matter, the mayor also read the council a public water access agreement that would partner the city of Ranier and the state Department of Natural Resources in regard to maintaining access to public waterways and the dock. According to Oerichbauer, Ranier approved the document in 1992, but the DNR did not sign the correct paperwork. The mayor said that this would reestablish an agreement that the city had already agreed upon.
Under this agreement, the state would provide technical and financial support in maintaining the dock in return for a say in how it is managed. Mayor Oerichbauer was unsure exactly what the financial backing from the state would be and said that he would not know that figure until after the document was signed by both the city of Ranier and the Minnesota DNR. The council approved signing the contract with the state.
The tennis net repair estimate from Loni Bright in the amount of $180 was approved.
The council also approved an estimate from Wherley Motors for purchase of a 2005 Ford F150 regular cab 4z2 truck in the amount of $9,052 and an extended warranty for $650. Oerichbauer said that the truck would be used for city maintenance.
The Council approved paying regular bills for water, general fund, the liquor store and the Recreation Club for a total of $65,274.
The Ranier Municipal Liquor Store presented its operating statement for May 2009, which showed a monthly net profit of $6,340.
The council approved promoting Jamie Graves from bartender to assistant manager at the liquor store. The council also approved hiring a deputy clerk, Tara Mai, to assist city Clerk Kim Nuthak.
