By Clark Natalie

The Harris Fire Department now has 28 firefighters. This number is a goal met.

At the Sept. 25 council meeting, Fire Chief of Operations, Will Lacina announced the accomplishment.

He also reported that Pastor Neil Bonkoski of the Harris Covenant Church has agreed to be the fire departmentís chaplain.

With a recent incident where there was a loss of life, the need for a chaplain became evident, Lacina said, not only for the people involved in a tragedy, but also for the firefighters.

In addition, Lacina talked about the need for picture identification badges. The concern is that when the chaplain is called, and a perimeter has been established, it may become difficult for the chaplain to get to where he needs to be.

Also, many first responders arrive without turn out gear. They are entering peoplesí houses when they are most vulnerable.

Lacina said identification to people at this time needs to be positive and quick. Picture IDs are also recommended by the Chisago Sheriffís Department.

Lacina also talked about equipment the fire department may be able to obtain from the Dept. of Natural Resources at Willow River. It includes surplus generators which may be used at the Water Treatment Plant or city maintenance. City Engineer Chuck Schwartz will check into this. The generators have an estimated value of $30,000 and just had an additional $15,000 worth of refurbishing.

The fire department can purchase them for $500. It was pointed out at the recent tornados at Rogers, there were no portable generators to provide light to the areas hit.

The city also voted to increase the pay for firefighters
who respond to emergency calls from $9 per call to $15. The action will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2006, provided this pay increase does not violate any law.

City Attorney Pete Grundhoefer updated the council on the search and procedure for hiring a new city clerk. The cutoff date for applications was Sept. 20. Grundhoefer and acting city clerk Susan Hoyt are in the process of screening the applications.

The applications will be presented to the Human Resources Committee, which will cull the applications. Those who stand out will be given a skills test. Those who qualify will be presented to the city council for interviews.

Hoyt updated the council on the upcoming elections. There are two candidates for mayor: Rick Smisson and
Larry Nelson. For the two council seats, there are four candidates: Doug Payne,
Kathy Olson, John Pelant and Rodney Larson.

Earlier in the meeting, the cityís auditor, Oberloh & Associates, reported on the fiscal year 2005. Dennis Oberloh said the report fairly represents the financial status of the city by Generally Accepted Accounting Principals.

Oberloh noted that the city had budgeted $403,000 income for 2005, the actual income was $466,000. The excess income was from interest earnings, donations, sale of assets, and insurance refunds. Expenses also exceeded the budget, $492,000 was the actual amount spent, with a budget calling for only $407,000. With the excess income, the actual change in the fund balance was $3,000.

The Enterprise funds, which have their own accounting information within the financial statement, posted a net loss of $45,000. This was mainly in the sewer fund, based on the depreciation of the equipment. There was only one reportable item, but this was not a material weakness.

When the city has its funds on deposit with a financial institution, it is necessary for all of the funds to be insured. FDIC insurance usually covers up to $100,000.

Any excess, the financial institution is required to provide ìpledged collateral.î Pledged collateral are secured investments of the institution which are pledged to cover the cityís funds should the financial institution run into difficulties.

Oberloh said the city should develop some type of monitoring system, and the deposited funds need to be covered 110 percent of the value.

Richard Hill, the cityís acting treasurer, has set up a system which will be put into place that the financial institutions will provide monthly report on the safety of the cityís deposits.