Nfld budget Revision 2 “a little more realistic”
The Northfield City Council authorized spending $940,000 more last year in larger Capital projects than what was originally budgeted. City Administrator Ben Martig said, “those show up as transfers out within the General fund”. The reason they’re not showed as expenses is because larger expenditures are expensed in a different operating fund. The largest was the Library project at $575,000 and the E. Cannon River Trail had about $200,000, Meadows Park was another $94,000, $50,000 for the Skateboard Park and a smaller expenditure for the Gazebo behind the Archer House. Martig says, however,
they spent less in other areas leaving $10,000 difference. Martig said, “the reason for the lower expenditure was primarily due to a vacancy in leadership”. Including the cost savings with the absence of a City Administrator and projects that didn’t happen due to that absence. Without those savings, the City would’ve dipped into their reserves. Martig likes to see a 6 month reserve with another month on hand. He added that one of his focuses during this budgeting process will be on asset management, “the Plan revision number 2 is probably going to be a little more realistic, it’s going to be more focused on our priorities”. New initiatives will need new funding sources. Council must set their final budget for 2017 in December. The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, along with media partners KYMN and the Northfield News will host a Northfield Council candidate forum tomorrow morning from 7:30 to 9:30 in council chambers at City Hall. Doors open at 7 for the public to meet with candidates. Videos of the State, Mayoral and School board candidate forums are online at kymn.net.
Bly’s book campaign controversy
The Campaign Finance Board has found “probable cause” to investigate District 20B Representative David Bly for campaign violations related to his book, “We all do Better”. In August, the Board received a complaint alleging Bly used his campaign committee’s funds to prepare and publish the book; the cost of producing the book is listed as a campaign expenditure on the committee’s 2015 year-end Report. The book does not include the required disclaimer for campaign material, in violation of the Minnesota Statutes section 211B.04. In September Bly told the Finance Board that the campaign expenditure on his report was for the purchase of completed books directly from the publisher. An invoice was provided documenting the purchase of 566 books for $8,485. Copies of the book were offered as a thank you to individuals who contributed at least $20 to his campaign. Bly stated that copies of the book were not distributed generally to constituents and concludes that the books are not campaign material because the books do not support or oppose any candidate for election and because they do not ask anyone to vote for candidate. Therefore, he states that no disclaimer was required on the books. Bly appeared before the Board October 5th where his comments were taken into consideration. Given all the information, the Board is ordering an investigation prepare to make a final decision at the their next meeting, which is listed as November 10th.
Chief calls for caution near School Crossing intersections
School’s back in session and already there’ve been a couple of incidents at school crossing intersections. Police Chief Monte Nelson said they’ve also had speed complaints. Officers have been enforcing the speed zones, in particular the new one at Greenvale. As he’s said before, it’s parents and teachers generally violating the rules. Nelson said watch your speed, watch for the crossing guards and those bus stop arms!
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