Posted 9/5/01 Harris council considers budget increases for 2002 By Danielle Strenke The proposed budget for 2002 for the city of Harris includes a net levy increase of 19 percent over 2001. The city council and Mayor Richard Hanson discussed the preliminary figures with clerk Kim Hugger at a special budget meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 29. The net levy proposed for 2002 is estimated at $182,774.69, an increase of more than $28,000 over last yearís budget of $153,854.11. These figures and the overall increase will vary greatly by the time the council meets today, Sept. 5, to review and possibly adopt the final budget. Hugger explained the difficulty in preparing the budget, particularly with sketchy numbers at best for expenditures of the past year. She was also unable to work with any accounting records from Jan. of this year, which are still being reviewed by state auditors. Some of the largest increases come under salaries for the clerk and treasurer, and an increase in the road equipment fund. After last yearís extraordinarily high heating costs, the budget reflects a large increase for heating the fire hall. Several items were not included on the proposed budget, such as $32,000 in bond payments for the new fire hall, and the establishing of a fire apparatus fund, at the request of fire chief John Pelant. Two additional income items were also omitted, which first came to the attention of the council at the meeting. Hugger told the council the city has been receiving quarterly checks from the Dept. of Trade and Economic Development, in the range of $5,000 per quarter. In addition, the city receives cable franchise income each quarter. None of the council members or Mayor Hanson had heard of the city receiving either of these in the past. ìCall them [DTED] and find out why weíre getting these checks, because itís news to us,î council member Lyle Holmstrom said. The council also agreed to the addition of a $2,000 budget to complete the remodeling of city hall. ìIt isnít a lot, but itís something,î Mayor Hanson said. ìWith what the county is doing, we have to be a little bit frugal.î Holmstrom also pointed out that the budget for unpaved streets was artificially inflated, because the figure showed up under two different headings. The correction results in $20,000 less on the proposed budget. Despite the obstacles of preparing the budget, the council felt it was a good start. ìThis looks good, if we can get the exact figures firmed up, even better,î Holmstrom said. The council will review the budget again at tonightís meeting, Sept. 5. The final budget must be approved and submitted to the county by Sept. 17. ©Post Review