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TRUMAN-- The Truman City Council on Monday considered the assignment of fund balance amounts as it was previously told there is an insufficient balance of unassigned funds in the general fund.
In January the council had heard from Greg Burkhardt, a Certified Public Accountant from Burkhardt & Burkhardt. He had gone over some expenditures with the council as some fund balances hadn't been coming through as anticipated.
At that time, Burkhardt said that he had helped the city of Truman transition away from its old accounting software at the end of 2020, moving into 2021 and was anticipating questions from the council relating to reserve funds.
The council is now tasked with finding a way to increase unassigned reserve in the general fund because it's too low. The target amount was $375,000 and there's under $50,000.
Council member Jake Ebert said that in the last audit at the end of 2020, it was listed as $96,000 and the issue has never been brought up before. He said it's worrisome that there's such a big increase.
"That's a huge deal to the city of Truman to all of a sudden have $350,000 of unassigned cash sitting around," Ebert said.
Council member Brian Nickerson said he thinks the numbers have to be in a different place.
Ebert asked if the council could hold off on making a decision. Deputy Clerk Carol Becker said that Burkhardt had asked that the solution be part of the upcoming audit.
In order to receive a clean audit, the council needs to figure out how to get its unassigned cash balances back up.
Ebert pointed out that the council has been taking from the money that was gifted to them four years ago and there hasn't been an issue. Ebert voiced that he has more questions he would like to ask Burkhardt at the next council meeting.
"It's hard to take the money that's already been designated by someone who was gracious enough to donate us $1.4 million and now we're using it as general fund money," council member Brandon Mosloski said.
The council members were referring to 160 acres of land, valued at $1.2 million, that was gifted to the city in 2018 by Roger Jones.
Mosloski asked if there's money somewhere else that should be going back into general fund. Ebert again asked if the council could wait to have the city's audit done until it gets some questions answered so it knows how to proceed.
Mosloski pointed out that with several new faces in city hall, it's hard for them to know what has all been done over the past few years.
"We haven't had the true numbers since Monte left," Ebert said of former long-time city clerk, Monte Rohman.
The council voted to delay making a decision until the next regular council meeting when it can ask questions to Burkhardt.
At Monday evening's meeting the council discussed putting out a survey to ask the community what its priorities are regarding projects money can be used for.
With the exception of the water tower work, which has to be done, council member Patty Truax said said something could be done with the tennis courts or a splash pad could be added. Both of those projects have previously been discussed.
"We need to have some questions as to what they (community members) might be interested in. Be thinking about that so that next meeting we can fourth look into that," Mayor Terry Bentele told the council.
Before the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, the council held a public hearing regarding a re-zoning request for a section of property currently zoned as B1, business to M1, industrial.
"Part of that property already is M1, we're just trying to make it all M1 so it's uniform and usable," Ebert told the handful of residents present for the hearing.
He further explained that re-zoning the area allows the use to be different. Ebert also said the Planning and Zoning Board have reviewed the request and recommended its approval.
Mosloski made a motion to re-zone the B1district to M1. The motion passed.
Moving to other maters, the council also heard from Truman Days committee members Nancy Salic and Donna Kotewa. Salic said they haven't gotten too far into planning for this summer's event but that they're in need of help.
"We need an advertising person. There's someone we're trying to talk into for that," Salic said.
She said that Kotwea wasn't going to organize the vendors, and if she doesn't, they're not going to find anyone for it as it's a big job.
The two had previously addressed the council after last year's Truman Days and said they would like more help, specifically help with maintenance regarding bathrooms and garbage removal at the park.
At Monday's meeting Mayor Terry Bentele asked Street Superintendent John Bosshart if the summer help could work the weekend of Truman Days and help with garbage removal.
The two also said that if four-wheelers are going to be allowed in the park again, they'd like a designated parking area for them.
"If you know anyone who wants to help, we'll take it. We have our main positions filled," Salic said.