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FAIRMONT-- The Fairmont City Council on Monday had a brief meeting in which it was provided a third quarter financial report from the city's finance director, Paul Hoye.
He said that looking at the first nine months, everything was looking good and that the one area coming in over budget in revenues was interest earning, which is helping the general fund.
"Through the first nine months, we're already $53,000 over budget on the revenue so that's a good thing," Hoye said.
As for miscellaneous revenues, Hoye said it's a little lower than where they could expect it to be. Rather than sitting at 75 percent it's at about 63 percent. However, he said included in that was money budgeted for a shared position with the HRA, which never happened.
Turning to expenses, Hoye said they're on track to end up under budget in nearly every area. He said a large part of this is being without a city administrator position for about four months.
"For public safety, there's been staffing issues and one or two positions we've been without in the police department for the majority of the year so you can see we'll be under budget," Hoye said.
Hoye noted that at 6 p.m. on Dec. 11 the council will hold its truth in taxation meeting and at that time the public is welcome to come and voice comments regarding the 2024 budget before it is finalized.
In other business during Monday's meeting, Mayor Lee Baarts read a proclamation declaring Dec. 10 as Human Rights Day in the city of Fairmont. Following the reading, two members of the human rights committee spoke up and thanked the council for recognizing the day but also commented on the lack of handicap accessibility in the city and especially at city hall.
Later in the meeting, Council Member Randy Lubenow said he took issue with the fact that the council has previously voted against recognizing or re-establishing the Human Rights Commission, which is part of city code.
"I'm just disappointed that we seem to have a double standard, that we read the proclamation but we voted against recognizing the commission," Lubenow said.
Interim City Administrator, Jeff O'Neil, asked whether the council actually voted against the commission or whether it was a budget issue. Luebow and Council Member Britney Kaweki said the council had previously discussed the matter several times and voted against funding the commission.
Council Member Mayne Hasek added that some of the reason for voting against it was also because there was no city administrator at the time of the discussion.
O'Neil suggested that the council could include the topic in its upcoming goal conversation.
In his report to the board, O'Neil shared that long-time city clerk, Patty Monsen, has submitted a letter making notice of her retirement, which will be effective April 26, after 34 years with the city.
"It's important here to recognize that. Congratulations on that decision and all of those years of wonderful service," O'Neil said.
He also thanked Monsen for giving the city ample notice on her retirement so that they can look for a replacement and get them trained before her retirement date.
O'Neil also said that city staff is working on putting together an evaluation program to evaluate staff individually at least once a year. He said he would like to start it on Jan. 1 and have the evaluations done on each employee's anniversary date.
Finally, O'Neil shared that the city has not yet received community center agreements dealing with the funding, financing and operating plans. He said that once the documents are in, they will be revived and then discussed by the council.