New city budget gains approval

HARTINGTON — The Hartington City Council approved a $5.9 million annual budget at its Monday meeting.

The city is asking local taxpayers for $732,035 to help fund the budget. This is $29,019 more than the city requested for the 2024 budget.

Because property valuations in the city increased by $14.2 million this year, the city is requesting a smaller tax levy for the new budget year. Last year, the city had a levy of .66, but this year's levy decreased to .60 — an eight percent decline.

The new levy means taxpayers will pay 60 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation on their property.

The valuation of property inside Hartington's city limits is listed at $120,230,174 this year.

The new budget shows the city currently owes $1.7 million in bonded indebtedness.

This year's tax request includes $215,000 to pay for the city's bonds.

The city is still paying on the downtown revitalization project, fire equipment, the flood improvement project, street improvement projects and the community recreation complex, said Mayor Mark Becker. The final payment on the complex will take place next year, he said.

The new bond for the city shop won't show up until next year's budget.

Property taxes support the majority of the city's annual budget, but the city also receives revenue from other sources to help pay the bills.

The city brought in $539,386 in sales tax last year. That number is expected to increase to $555,000 in the new budget year.

This year, the state is providing $119,955 in municipal equalization aid. This is an increase of $52,782 over last year's state aid.

The new budget also calls for an increase of $80,435 in the street department budget.

Becker said those funds include work on another downtown alley, a new city snow blower, paving of the road at the Felber Park shelter house and possible paving of the Skylon parking lot.

While the city budgeted $647,545 last year for streets, they only spent $553,896 of that budget.

The new budget also shows a decrease in the line item for culture and recreation, which includes the city parks, recreation facilities, auditorium and library. The city allocated $754,000 for culture and recreation in the 2024 budget, but only budgeted for $557,000 in the new fiscal year.

See CITY, Page 3 No major capitol improvements are planned in those areas in the new budget year, however.

The Council approved the building permit for a new city shop with little discussion.

In other action, the Council approved building permits for a new house for Matt Sees at 301 Cornell Avenue in the Westfield Acres addition.

The Council also approved a building permit for Hartelco to build stairs at their old headquarters on Centre Street.

The Council also approved a permit to allow the Chamber of Commerce to cross the state highway with its Nov. 22 Candelight Christmas parade.

The Council also examined the monthly Cedar County Sheriff’s report.

The Sheriff’s Department provided 329.25 hours of patrol work in Hartington so far in September. Of that time, just under two hours was spent specifically monitoring school traffic.

The Sheriff’s Department made three welfare checks in September and helped with one EMS assist.

Law enforcement was also called out to one disturbance call and one accident. Officers gave three verbal warnings for the month, and made one arrest.

The next Hartington City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The meeting is moved back one night since the morning meeting night falls on a legal holiday.