Following its budget committee recommendation, the Kalona City Council Monday approved a $5,700 increase in the city allocation for the Kalona Public Library. The allocation, combined with a $2,000 increase in the library levy revenues, provides the library with the $7,500 increase to bring personnel wages in line with city levels.

“When the library did its estimate, it did not have the latest levy figures,” explained budget committee member David Droz. “So, we recommended that the city make up the difference.”

City Administrator Doug Morgan also earlier had recommended the increase.

He also told the council that the estimated $1,299,182 budget for fiscal 1999-2000 will see a drop in the millage levy: 10.55015 down from the previous 10.76131.

In other respects, the council noted that the budget has “very few changes,” providing for a $1,881 increase in the law enforcement contract with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department (going from $94,059 to $95,940) and a 5 percent increase. Included in the wage area is $20,000 for a new employee to replace Dave E. Yoder who retired December 31.

Morgan said that the lower millage and a 1.7 percent rollback is “very favorable to residential property owners,” noting that last year there was a rollback for commercial and industrial property.

“There is no rollback for them this year,” he said.

Hearing

A public hearing on the budget is set for 7 p.m., February 15.

Morgan reported that the city needs to consider a few “high dollar items” such as a street sweeper that can run from $45,000-$60,000 used and up to $80,000 new.

He explained that the present unit “needs to be replaced.”

He also said that a sewer jet for the storm sewer system should be considered, and that the city maintainer “needs to be replaced. That comes under capital equipment.”

The longer range plans include a second water tower, and Morgan recommended that “studies for it be done this summer.”

Estimated cost for the project is $250,000-$300,000.

Morgan also gave the council members a sample of a possible ordinance to provide for building inspections and a fee schedule for it. The city would contract with a consultant for the inspection service, he noted.

Morgan explained that the information followed a recommendation from the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission.

Stressing that it did not oppose the idea, council member Ken Herington asked “how can we justify this cost to the people,” referring to the fact that the inspection fees will be passed on to the builders.

He explained that electricians and plumbers are already licensed.

Morgan suggested that the consultant the city would consider hiring, Steve Lee, meet with council members and explain in detail what services would be provided.

He also said that the city attorney would review any ordinance and plan.

Council members also learned that the power surge that occurred in Kalona Tuesday, January 26, has caused continuing problems with the main control panel at the city’s water plant. In fact, the controls will not operate properly on automatic, said Morgan, “and we have had to operate things manually.”

He added that a company troubleshooter would be in Kalona Tuesday, February 2, and “we expect it will be repaired.”

Morgan also reported about a recent Alliant Utilities meeting dealing with Y2K, noting “they will not guarantee anything about Y2K.”

However, he said, indications are problems will be “a series of nuisances,” rather than catastrophic.

However, Morgan said, Alliant reported it has hired 42 full time, 70 part-time and l160 consultants to work on the computer problem.

As a result, Morgan said he had “mixed emotions” about Kalona’s possible Y2K situation, and said that plans for a generator at the water plant are progressing. Cost for a diesel-powered unit that will operate the facility is $15,000—$16,000.

“That is the main concern, providing water,” he said. said.

He also noted that Alliant already has told all its employees to be on-call from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., December 31-January 1, 2000.

“The real problem is that nobody can tell you what will happen,” Morgan said.