By Sara StrongCity Administrator Greg LaFond called the council’s budget "responsible" and anticipates the city will be able to handle the next few years’ tight budgets. Among the long-term decisions the Luverne City Council made earlier this year, was to not fill the Public Works Director position.Now, with the former Utilities Coordinator employed on a consultant basis, the city will start a search for a new joint Utilities and Public Works Director soon.The position will require an electrical or civil engineering degree, with a background in municipalities preferred.The Council is also refilling the accountant position, which was part of the lay-offs earlier this year. LaFond said that changing the Pool and Fitness Center management to include more City Hall work is one reason to reinstate the position.Also, he said, the city is only saving $12,000 in the general fund by not having the accountant. The rest of the salary and benefit package is paid for through enterprise funds that don’t come from the property tax levy.An extra financial worker will help city staff closely track expenses in all departments, which LaFond has set as a priority. He said the accountant could eventually save the city money.As discussed at the previous council meeting, councilmen Tuesday passed a motion to request proposals for a new city attorney. They can all be rejected, but the council will have the opportunity to review proposals from area law firms.Councilman David Hauge brought the issue up, and made the motion for the request for proposals (RFPs). Hauge said that some work has been on hold in the attorney’s office and that city business is being slowed.City attorney since 1980, Don Klosterbuer said he wasn’t aware of any complaints against his office, and considered the year a productive one for the city: Darrell Huiskes’ early retirement; severance package for former administrator Matt Hylen; work on the hospital project, and his associate, Jeff Haubrich, serving as interim city administrator.Klosterbuer said at Tuesday’s meeting, that Oct. 3 he received a list of five projects the city was waiting for, and completed or addressed those by the Oct. 14 meeting where his office was discussed. Some of the projects were on hold because of information he still needed from City Hall.The item of city attorney RFPs wasn’t on the agenda at the October meeting and Klosterbuer was surprised that it was brought to the table. He said that in the past, any projects falling behind schedule were called to his attention and that he appreciated that type of communication.Doing business with the countyTuesday, Nov. 4, city of Luverne and county representatives will meet to discuss some joint issues. At this Tuesday’s meeting, the agenda contained items that could have affected the county.Councilman Bob Kaczrowski said, "Maybe we should wait until after the next county liaison meeting before we start making resolutions."The issues involving the county on the agenda were all tabled:oAdvertising for bids to Privatize the refuse and recycling contract. If that were done, the county Transfer Station would be greatly affected. More than 80 percent of its business is from Luverne.oRequesting proposals for new assessment services. The city currently contracts with the county for assessment services at $35,000 per year. Administrator Greg LaFond wanted to negotiate that price lower, but the county said it charges what its costs are to do the property assessments.
