By Jolene Farley
At their Monday meeting, Hills City Council members approved a 2003 budget of $239,045 with a levy of $52,089, a 5-percent increase to taxpayers.
The council had agreed unofficially at the last meeting to a levy of $55,089. Council member Arlen Leenderts wanted that figure decreased by $3,000.
"I feel it's too much," he said. "Myself, I feel we should do some cutting."
Leenderts, who wasn't present at the August council meeting when budget allocations were discussed at length, said he wanted to keep any budget increase around 5 percent.
After some discussion, the council decreased funds allocated for the American Legion building by $1,000, funds allocated for the purchase of a new tractor for the city by $1,000 and funds allocated for the purchase of a pickup by $1,000.
Jellema said the budget is really just a numbers game.
"The cold hard facts remain," said Mayor Jim Jellema. "When one of these babies is done (tractor or pickup) we're going to have to do something."
In other board business:
The council cancelled water restrictions; then discussed other water-related topics.
Mayor Jim Jellema suggested obtaining a price on a larger pump for the city well. Jellema was concerned about the possibility of running out of water during a dry period or a period of heavy water usage.
"I would like to have a backup," he said. "If we end up with a six-inch line, it's not going to make much of a difference, but we could just as well use that water for the elevator or for fires."
Discussion stemmed from a Tuesday, June 25, incident when the city water tower was pumped dry.
Rock County Rural Water has offered an option of installing a six-inch water line from two miles north of Hills to the northern edge of town.
The larger water line would increase water pressure and capacity, but would cost the city $219,024.
The council will meet with Rock County Rural Water and a Rural Economic Development representative Tuesday, Oct. 8, to discuss the proposed water improvement project.
Leenderts suggested the land the city owns behind the Southern Hills Apartments should be surveyed and possibly sold. The council anticipates the land could be divided into three or four lots.
"Maybe we should get someone in there and measure the thing off," Jellema said. "We need a legal description to it for sale."
Council members decided to start council meetings at 6:30 p.m. rather than 6 p.m. beginning in 2003.