OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met on Monday, Sept. 9, with the regular meeting following the annual budget hearing.
During the meeting, Treasurer Brittney Timmerman explained that restricted funds are those that have a limited use i.e., sales tax, highway allocation and municipal equalization. The 1% increase is recommended each year by the auditor. The city council approved the 1% increase in restricted funds authority for the 2024-2025 funds subject to limitation.
The council also approved Resolution 2024-8 setting the property tax request as follows: General Fund, $296,942.69; Bond Fund, $165,000.00; total tax request, $461,942.69. The total assessed value of property differs from last year’s total assessed value by 10.03%. The tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property would be 0.6568 per $100 of assessed value. The City of Osmond proposes to adopt a property tax request that will cause its tax rate to be 0.693777 per $100 of assessed value.
The council then adopted the FY 2024-25 budget as presented during the budget hearing earlier that evening.
Insurance Premium Increase Explained
Lisa Schmit, Town & Country Insurance, explained the city’s insurance renewal offer. Overall, the premium increase was not as significant as anticipated, with only a renewal limit increase of 8.65% because of inflation on the building side of the policy.
The biggest increase was on buildings which added $654,000 more on coverage than in 2023. The deductibles remained the same.After reviewing all of the remaining coverage changes, the overall premium increased by 9.43% to $56,612 for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The council approved the renewal of the city’s insurance policy with Town & Country Insurance and will wait on Cyber and Employee Practice Liability Insurance.
Library to Receive New Equipment
LaVail Aschoff, Osmond Public Library director, informed council members that, after filling out the library’s annual public survey, she found that the server equipment had been flagged by the state because of the age of the equipment.
She stated upgrading the equipment would be covered by the Library Commission Grant, but she would need to purchase a new software program, which would hold all the inventory and checkout system for the library.
After reviewing quotes, the council approved having Aschoff choose the software program that would be most beneficial for the library.
Street Plan Adopted
At 7:30 p.m., the public hearing on the One- and Six-Year Street Plan was opened. Clerk Brittney Timmerman noted that there are no current plans for a one-year project, but with the six-year plan it includes Logan Street from Fourth Street to Prairie Street and one block both east and west from Fifth Street to Eighth Street.
It also includes one block on Third Street between Maple and Hill streets, along with one block on Sixth Street from Main to Meadow street. At 7:32 p.m., the council closed the public hearing on the One- and Six-Year Plan, and approved Resolution 20247: One- and Six-Year Plan.
Economic Development Director Questioned
Jim Schmit, current Pierce County Economic Development board member, called PCED Director Susan Norris to answer some questions and explain what the community of Osmond has received or will be receiving from her services. After hearing some of the projects that are in the works for Osmond, Council thanked Norris for taking time to answer some questions. Councilman Neil Wattier and Clerk Timmerman asked some questions about what services would be provided, also if individual businesses in the community could still reach out to PCED for assistance filling out small business grants or loans. These questions all came about from a recent article in the Plainview newspaper about services PCED would not be able to provide for their community since she is no longer the Plainview economic developer and some verbiage from the new InterlocalAgreement with PCED.
Schmit reassured that all services would remain the same as when PCED was run by the Pierce County Courthouse. After a bit more discussion and questions answered, the council approved having the Mayor sign the interlocal agreement with PCED, with the condition that all other communities in Pierce County would sign it as well, and appointing Kelly Hodson and Jim Schmit to remain Osmond’s representatives on the board.
Music in the Park Coming
In discussing a Music in the Park fundraiser, Marvin Kumm, Osmond Park Board member, stated that with the help of the Community HOME Team hosting the fundraiser they would like to utilize Poolside Park to raise money to place matting under the swing sets.
The fundraiser would take place on Sunday, Sept. 22, in the evening. After some discussion, council thanked Kumm for all his hard work and dedication on the upkeep of the parks. The council also approved the use of the park for the fundraiser Dump Truck Search Continues Councilman Doug Schmit informed those in attendance at the meeting that the motion to purchase the dump truck from last month had been rescinded and the council will continue looking for a truck that will better suit the city’s needs.
The price range for purchasing a dump truck was up for discussion. Mayor Dennis Kuhl informed council that the City of Norfolk had a dump truck listed on GOVDeals website and the bidding would end in a few days.
Treasurer Timmerman stated that the city is close to exceeding the budgeted expense for this current fiscal year and urged council to hold off until the next fiscal year, when the truck is actually in the budget.
Council discussed how much the truck was from a few years ago that they went to look at out of state and a range between $15,000 to $20,000 would be sufficient for the city's needs. Maintenance employee Bert Wattier stated that the maintenance crew would be fine getting by with what they have for this year. Council all felt that they will pass on the City of Norfolk’s dump truck and will take their time looking for a truck that would be a good fit for the city's needs.
Utility Rates to Increase
With much hesitation from Councilman Dan Timmerman to discuss the need to raise rates in the utility departments, Treasurer Timmerman informed council that she would be more than willing to accept any phone calls or schedule appointments to take any questions from residents on why there’s such a need to increase rates.
After receiving the water and sewer rate study from Randy Hellbusch with Nebraska Rural Water Association, Councilman Timmerman stated that he suggests water rates increase from a base fee of $25.00 to $29.75 and increase the per thousand charge from $1.75 to $2.10. The council approved the increase as stated.
Councilman Timmerman then suggested the following increases based on the sewer rate study: Residential Single from $15.25 to $20.25; Residential 2+ from $21.25 to $28.25; Light Commercial from $21.25 to $28.25; Medium Commercial from $34.75 to $46.25; Heavy Commercial from $48.75 to $64.85; Light Industrial from $ 32.75 to $ 43.50; Medium Industrial from $137.75 to $183.25; Heavy Industrial from $159.75 to $212.50 and Multiple Family from $13.75 to $18.25. The council approved the sewer rate changes as stated above.
The last discussion for utilities was the garbage rates. Treasurer Timmerman informed council that the previous year when the garbage rates for dumpsters increased, it was only applied to the in-town accounts. She stated after some discussion with the maintenance crew that the only need for rate changes in garbage was for the quarterly billing accounts with the rate changing from $27 per dumpster per dump a month to $47.
Timmerman also mentioned with out-of-town garbage rates being higher by other companies they may be able to increase it a little more if they choose to. The council voted to change the quarterly billing accounts from $27 per dumpster per dump a month to $47.
City Meeting Time to Change
Clerk Timmerman brought a meeting time ordinance before council for official adoption, instead of just a motion that was done at last month’s meeting. The ordinance changes the meeting time for the city council to 7:00 p.m. rather than 7:30 p.m. A complete copy of the ordinance is printed in this week’s edition of the Osmond Republican and is also available for inspection and distribution at the city office.
Industrial Towers Payment Deposited
After reviewing claims, Treasurer Timmerman stated the check has come in from Industrial Towers West for reimbursement on the Nelson Tree Service invoice from last month to remove the tree for their project.
She also mentioned that the one-time fee of $74,000 has come in and was deposited into the General Checking account.
Mayor Kuhl asked Timmerman what she thought the city should do with the money. She responded by saying she would like to see $30-40,000 be put back into some of the accounts that were depleted down from paying for the asphalt project. The council approved depositing $20,000 into the Electrical Operations account to cover the pickup that was purchased at the beginning of this fiscal year and $20,000 into the General Fund Savings account to help build it back up from the asphalt project.
Other Items on Agenda
Mayor Kuhl read a thank you from Tucker Timmerman after he submitted his two week notice in August. Clerk Timmerman informed council that since maintenance employee Timmerman is no longer on the payroll, if he were to come in and help with any snow removal or such, that it would be at the off-street rate of $11.50. She stated that the rate hasn’t increased since her time in office and suggested council discuss that at next month’s meeting.
Treasurer Timmerman requested the City make a payment to the Senior Citizens Center for $1,000 for the Down Memory Lane utilities. The City has made an annual payment of $1,000 since 2017. The council agreed to make the $1,000.00 annual payment.
Clerk Timmerman presented the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement between the County of Pierce and the City of Osmond. It was received and signed by the Mayor after last month’s meeting, since it was due back to the county by the end of last month. This Agreement will provide $10,712.00 for the City’s library budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
More progress was made on the community sign project, mentioned Councilman Schmit. The sign has a new location and will be to the north of Osmond Farm Supply Purina building on the southeast corner of the intersection at Highway 20 and State Street. They are still working on the power source, but feel hopeful the project will move forward soon.
Clerk Timmerman mentioned to council that Police Chief Tyler Wells assisted in drafting the letters to four of the vacant property owners and hand delivered three of them. She said since one owner lives out of town, that notice was sent by certified mail with return receipt showing it was received by the end of August. Three of the property owners have 60 days to correct the violations listed on their letters and one was only delivered a weed nuisance letter and has since resolved the issues on that. More updates will follow as the process moves forward.
After reviewing the drafted franchise agreement with Stealth Broadband, Clerk Timmerman went through the suggested changes from city attorney Dennis Collins. Mayor Kuhl stated that he suggested the 3% franchise agreement; more discussion on the agreement will take place next month.
Last month, Clerk/Treasurer Timmerman informed the council that her family is expecting again and the due date is the beginning of March 2025. She had suggested council start looking for a temporary replacement for her two-month maternity leave. Mayor Kuhl mentioned he had spoken with Cindy Hoffman about coming back in to help during that time, to which she agreed. After some discussion, the council approved paying Hoffman $25/hr with paid holidays starting in October.
Police Chief Wells presented a report on recent activity within the city including one golf cart ordinance question, two dog at large, five deliver letters to citizens/businesses, one civil standby request, one follow up call with case and one dog bite to name a few. Wells went on to say he attended a dog kennel meeting with the Plainview police department and in the coming months they should be able to start taking in dogs at large caught by the police department.
In other business, the council: — heard Clerk Timmerman state the following building permits: Dale and Verona Howard, moving a shed from one property to their primary property; Larry and LaVonne Hummel, moving in a shed; Northeast Nebraska Tire & Trailer & Allstar Parts, signage for new building; Erin Mann, chain link fence and Industrial Towers West LLC, monopole tower and ground cabinets.
— heard Mayor Kuhl state city sales tax for June 2024 was a total of $22,534.81 (of that amount $4,700.98 is from motor vehicle tax).
— heard Mayor Kuhl read correspondence from a camper who said it was a charming place and they enjoyed their visit.
