Harris faces major challenges

Posted 8/23/01

Harris faces major challenges

By Danielle Strenke

The Harris City Council is facing a major challenge as budget time rolls around this year. The obstacle to overcomeñ how to plan a budget for 2002 when there are no accurate numbers from 2001, and questions arise over the accuracy of other past budgets as well.
The council held its first budget meeting following the regular council meeting Monday night. They were hesitant to discuss any detailed figures for any of the cityís budgeted items, only estimating most budget items would most likely increase by at least 5 percent.
The first item of discussion was concerning the budget for parks. Without the formation of an established park board for much of last year, the council does not have a clear picture of what was spent last year on parks. The last working budget for the park board was $4,500.
ìWe were going off the budget from last year of $4,500,î park board member Janice Balfantz said. ìIt will probably be more than that this year,î Mayor Richard Hanson said.
Councilmember David Christianson told her the park budget would probably increase because the city was considering imposing park fees of up to $1500 on new homes.
Balfantz reviewed a general budget for parks, which included a Harris welcome sign, new playground equipment at School House Park, American flags, trees, and Harris banners.
Christianson was concerned that so much of the improvements were being made at School House Park, with Harris City Park not seeing any new funds.
Balfantz said they would like improvements for the city park, but its hard to keep replacing things that are continually vandalized.
ìWeíve pulled at least three picnic tables from the creek this year, and the volleyball netñ which said ëHarris Parksí all over itñ was taken,î she said. She did add that a new volleyball net had been ordered for the park. ìI would like to see us get more picnic tables there that canít be taken away or thrown in the creek,î Christianson said.
The council briefly discussed how the budget figures should be organized for 2002. Clerk Kim Hugger said it is very difficult to have nothing concrete to work with from last year.
And because of last yearís discrepancies in the cityís accounting practices, the state auditors continue to hold records for much of last year through January 2001.
Mayor Hanson said it was also difficult to gauge where expenses would be for next year, considering the extent of penalties and back taxes the city paid in 2001.
ìThere is so much stuff in here that we spent this year, that should have been spent in 1999 and 2000,î he said. ìIf we get this financial thing straightened out, the audit should be a piece of cake for next year.î
ìWe really donít know what our losses are going to be, it will be a long time before we do,î Christianson said.
ìThe only thing we will know for sure is wagesñ we know what we are paying everyone and the taxes that are taken out. We can also figure out what weíll pay the treasurer,î councilmember Lyle Holmstrom said.
He was also concerned with questions over some past budget figures, such as income on the fire departmentís fire contracts.
Chief John Pelant told the council they had not collected any fees from Sunrise last year, yet an income of $4,946.95 was listed for 2000ñ the exact amount listed for 1999 as well. ìFrom what weíve been told, we havenít received any money in 2000,î Holmstrom said.
The 2000 budget was at $250,000. The net levy for 2000 was $153,850, a nine percent increase over the 1999 budget. The council will hold another budget meeting Wednesday, Aug. 29, with approval of the final budget coming in September.