Lafayette City Council sets budget, certifies levy

by Doug Hanson
Following two budget work sessions and two Truth in Taxation hearing, the Lafayette City Council approved its 2024 budget at $247,046. That is an increase from this year’s budget of $218,227. The increases came from several categories in the budget.
After local governmental aid, the City certified the levy at $205,161. This is an increase of $29,022 or 13.21 percent.
Public Works Supervisor Al Fox reported on a reusable wastewater project that the City of Winthrop is organizing. Several area communities attended the meeting. The project would have area cities pump their wastewater to Winthrop to be treated and then used by area businesses.
There would be a lift station in Lafayette that would send the wastewater to the intersection of Highway 19 & 15, where it could merge with wastewater from other cities. A lift station at that intersection would then send it to the future plant.
The Council asked questions about the pros and cons of the project. Fox stated that in the short term, the benefits wouldn’t help Lafayette that much. But it could make sense long term.
There were more questions than answers on grants, finances and how the project would run. Fox will follow up after future meetings. Fox stated his biggest question was how it would operate.
Fire Chief Nick Klingler asked the Council to have the same rate schedule for the fire department as the ambulance as far as payment for meetings and calls. The Council approved this request.
Danielle Marenco submitted a letter of resignation from the fire department which was approved.
At a recent meeting, the fire department held an election of officers. Nick Klingler was elected chief and Mark Voges was elected assistant chief. Savanna Clemmon was elected secretary with Scott VanDeest selected as fire marshall. Wayne Portner and Ken Liebl were appointed truck runners. Logan VanDeest and Joe Sondag were named training officers.
In other business Lowell and Mary Kavan were approved for a variance on the height of their decorative fence in the front yard. The Council denied a variance from L. Krueger at 520 Pioneer Avenue for an outdoor furnace.
The City received a rebate check from United Farmers Cooperative for $3,048.37. That rebate was put into the general fund.
Two donations were accepted, the first was $1,000 from Helping Minnesota Heroes for the ambulance fund. The second was $75 from Fill Me Up for the 125th celebration.