MONROE - In a meeting Tuesday, the City of Monroe Finance and Taxation Committee:
- Voted unanimously to refinance the loan for Tax Increment District No. 7 to receive a lower interest rate but without paying off any principal. The refinancing is expected to save about $350,000 on repayment cost over the life of the bond.
MONROE - In a meeting Tuesday, the City of Monroe Common Council:
- Following a public hearing, passed an ordinance, by a 9-1 vote, distinguishing special boards, committees and commissions, needing council approval for mayoral appointment, from standing committees, which do not require council confirmation. Thurston Hanson voted against the measure. During the public hearing, Ron Marsh asked the council to amend the ordinance to address mayoral removal of standing committee appointments, "so no political games can be played." City Attorney Rex Ewald addressed the concern, noting the power to appoint includes the power to remove, as per state law and case law. No amendment to the ordinance was made.
- Approved on a 9-1 vote the Government Accounting Standards Board statement No. 54 Implementation Policy and instituted fund amounts to each reserved fund category. Hanson voted against. The city will keep 25 percent of its annual expenditures as a minimum fund balance, requiring a super majority of Common Council to change it. The city has $1.7 million in committed funds, designated for specific projects or purchases, and $1.4 million in unassigned funds. The resolution also establishes the flow of funds for spending purposes, with more restricted categories (funds for specific designations or purposes) being spent first, before moving to unassigned funds.
- Unanimously authorized the use of $47,500 of undesignated funds to pay for police replacement vehicles, with the police department's vehicle payments to be used to pay back the fund over a 4-year period.
- Unanimously approved $564,200 to pay bills.
- Granted miscellaneous licenses.
Ron Marsh made a presentation from the World Cheese Destination Center Committee, updating the council and public on the project's status and asking for moral support.
Mayor Bill Ross acknowledged the death of past-mayor Patrick Thorp, who died Monday, March 19. Thorp served two terms as mayor of the City of Monroe, from 1984 to 1988.
Before adjourning, the council moved into closed session to discuss a performance evaluation of and to review and discuss compensation for City Administrator Phil Rath.
- Tere Dunlap
- Voted unanimously to refinance the loan for Tax Increment District No. 7 to receive a lower interest rate but without paying off any principal. The refinancing is expected to save about $350,000 on repayment cost over the life of the bond.
MONROE - In a meeting Tuesday, the City of Monroe Common Council:
- Following a public hearing, passed an ordinance, by a 9-1 vote, distinguishing special boards, committees and commissions, needing council approval for mayoral appointment, from standing committees, which do not require council confirmation. Thurston Hanson voted against the measure. During the public hearing, Ron Marsh asked the council to amend the ordinance to address mayoral removal of standing committee appointments, "so no political games can be played." City Attorney Rex Ewald addressed the concern, noting the power to appoint includes the power to remove, as per state law and case law. No amendment to the ordinance was made.
- Approved on a 9-1 vote the Government Accounting Standards Board statement No. 54 Implementation Policy and instituted fund amounts to each reserved fund category. Hanson voted against. The city will keep 25 percent of its annual expenditures as a minimum fund balance, requiring a super majority of Common Council to change it. The city has $1.7 million in committed funds, designated for specific projects or purchases, and $1.4 million in unassigned funds. The resolution also establishes the flow of funds for spending purposes, with more restricted categories (funds for specific designations or purposes) being spent first, before moving to unassigned funds.
- Unanimously authorized the use of $47,500 of undesignated funds to pay for police replacement vehicles, with the police department's vehicle payments to be used to pay back the fund over a 4-year period.
- Unanimously approved $564,200 to pay bills.
- Granted miscellaneous licenses.
Ron Marsh made a presentation from the World Cheese Destination Center Committee, updating the council and public on the project's status and asking for moral support.
Mayor Bill Ross acknowledged the death of past-mayor Patrick Thorp, who died Monday, March 19. Thorp served two terms as mayor of the City of Monroe, from 1984 to 1988.
Before adjourning, the council moved into closed session to discuss a performance evaluation of and to review and discuss compensation for City Administrator Phil Rath.
- Tere Dunlap