SHERBURN — The Sherburn City Council met on Monday evening. Paul Burkhardt and Burkhardt auditors gave a report about his compilation review for the first part of the year.

The Council hopes that it will be helpful when the budget is studied for approval in 2025. He reported that the Balance Sheet looked good. It was low in June but the state money doesn’t come until July and then it was better.

The Wastewater plant was discussed and will be in the 2024 audit. The rate increase for water helped that fund to recover a serious low. It is still not profit-making but not as low as before. The sewer rates will have to be discussed. The wastewater plant used a grant and some lower rates of interest from USDA at the time of building to help fund the 9 million dollar project which is now running. The Osborne and Other Streets project is done and that was also a grant project. The large loan will not be included until 2025.

The fire truck expense will be in 2027. The first payment is due in 2026 of $31,000 a year at 3.5 percent interest. A discussion about depreciation on project beginning dates was held. Cash Flow could be better but was not bad. Other funds are in good shape.

The $200,000 remodeling expenditures for Temperance Lake Ridge were discussed as to when they will depreciate and if they are assets. The management company deals with them on a cash basis and the City also takes into consideration the depreciation when judging how it is to be used. The needs of the building, whether it can be thrown or not, and whether it is part of the building make a difference as to whether it is called an asset and depreciated.

The Burkhardt firm made some recommendations: banking should be done in two months; codes are not used correctly sometimes for expenditures and income; some expenditures needed initials and documentation; the Council needs to examine all fund balances and ask questions; revenue and payroll deposits need watching; review by others is good- “trust but verify”; inventory at liquor store is now done weekly; and some funds had delinquent balances.

The clerk and council members discussed the recommendations and some concerns had been changed already. Some were from years ago administration and the turnaround of employees in the last few years. The Council approved paying the audit invoice of $1,800 and thanked him for the report.

In further business, the Council approved the contract with Midco. In answer to the question about the television channel 13 not being used the contract stipulated that the city would be furnishing the equipment for the television channel and Midco furnishing the service connection. The computer used before had been junked. The clerk will continue to consult Midco about what equipment is needed and at what expense.

Insurance benefits for full-time employees were discussed as to using a Group Rate or not and whether the employees take the insurance or not. The matter needed some more information so the Council postponed action until the next meeting. The Council discussed the two bids for the Gazebo at South Park and approved the bid for $1,600 with the stipulation that it be moved in two weeks.

In Council reports a question about the removal of the Emerald Ash Borer affected trees was asked. The City is responsible for the trees in the boulevard but the owner of the property is responsible for the removal of trees on their property. The recommended

time for removal of affected trees is from October to April so now is a good time to

have them removed. The larvae and beetle will travel to other trees if trees are done in

the spring and summer but will be destroyed by the tree in the fall and winter. The

city did not get a grant. The Council suggested labeling trees in the spring especially those that need immediate removal.

In other news:

— The Council approved the invoice for the new furniture for Temperance Lake Ridge.

— The Police report was read and a question will be asked by the Clerk. The Clerk’s Report included information about the cell phone. The Cell phone for City Hall was discussed with Verizon. This will only be used for special projects and circumstances.

— A pump at the Water plant was in need of repair and it should be under warranty. Two leaks at hydrants listed in the report were discussed. The problem may have come with the street projects done near them. The city will investigate and repair it.

— The Clerk asked that a budget session be scheduled for after the next meeting on Nov. 18.–

The City applied for a grant to get Well well-head protection and was awarded the grant. The report of the inspector for the City, Harry Janness, was discussed with letters sent but no response and the list was similar to what had been reported previously. The Council asked the Clerk to contact the inspector and ask that he attend the next Council meeting. They asked about the date of the letters, further steps, and that he supply copies to the clerk so they are kept with the property’s records at City Hall.

— The generator from the old water plant was to be given to the fire department but the wiring for it is expensive. This will have to be investigated and discussed later.

The Clerk asked if there is a cap for purchases like the $500 cap for public works. She

would like to bring large purchases to the attention of the council. The Council went into a closed session to discuss the negotiations with the union for the Police and the adjustment to the Clerk’s pay since there is no Administrator yet.

— The first reading of the revised ordinance for Fire Protection fees was done. The billing is done by a company and the aid agreement was reviewed. The Council accepted with thanks the $3,000 donation from ODell Wind Farms for the Sherburn Fire Department.

The next meeting of the Sherburn City Council is scheduled for at 5 p.m. Nov. 18 at City Hall.