BLUE EARTH — The Blue Earth City Council spent a majority of its meeting Tuesday discussing items connected with the proposed 2020 budget.

The council will set its preliminary budget and a proposed tax levy amount at its second meeting in September.

The proposed budget calls for an 8.9 percent tax levy increase. However, the council is discussing ways to lower the amount.

A final budget and levy will not be set until later in December.

One item under discussion is $30,000 for improvements to the Third Ward park. The council discussed whether it makes sense to improve the park before the adjoining street is finished being reconstructed next year.

“I think we could put $15,000 away for the park in this budget, then add another $15,000 the next year,” said Mayor Rick Scholtes. “Then do the park project in 2021.”

Councilman Glenn Gaylord questioned keeping up with maintenance at all the city parks.

“I’m not complaining about our city crew, but I wonder if they can manage with all the work needed to keep the parks up,” Gaylord said. “There are so many things they need to do.”

Other budget items under discussion include a 7.5 percent increase in employees health care cost, a possible increase in recycling costs in the future and increasing the Housing and Rehabilitation Authority budget for possible housing construction.

The council also discussed the fire department budget for next year with Fire Chief Roger Davis. The proposed budget is $283,220, up from $274,100 for 2019.

In other business, the council:

o Heard an update from city engineer Wes Brown that included information on the Sailor Street Reconstruction Project. One issue has to do with installing a new sewer line. “We thought we could just line it, but now we have to replace it,” Brown said. “The cost will be $3,000 to $4,000, plus the cost of replacing some shrubs.”

o Voted to close Steinberg Park for one week, Sept. 14-21, when the citywide deer hunt begins.

o Voted to give a resident a $130 credit on his wastewater sewer bill because of an outside faucet being left on, and the water not running into the sewer main.