MINUTES OF THE DEWITT VILLAGE BOARD BUDGET HEARING, SPECIAL MEETING AND REGULAR BOARD MEETING held Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the Village Office, 209 E. Fillmore Ave, DeWitt, NE. Roll Call: Present: Chairman Fink, Trustees Rahe, Wattjes, Weise and Workman Absent: None Also present: Utility Superintendent – Hunter Oliver, Utility Maintenance – Kyle Meers, Clerk- Moria Holly, Deanna Brown, Ray and Reagan Brown, Lynn Hermsmeier, Janelle Vergith, and Saline County Deputy Chairman Fink announced that a copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room and is accessible to members of the public. Budget Hearing Opened at 7:00 PM The Village Clerk reviewed and discussed the proposed budget from Blobaum and Busboom with the Village Board. No public comments. Motion by Weise, second by Rahe, to close the Budget Hearing at 7:03 p.m. Special Meeting Opened at 7:03 PM The Village Clerk reviewed and discussed setting the final tax request at $144,741.00 and the tax levy at 0.437577 per $100 of assessed value. No public comments. Motion by Rahe, second by Weise, to close the Special Meeting at 7:04 p.m. Public Hearing Opened at 7:04 PM Motion approved by unanimous roll call vote: 1. Resolution 2024-16; Acquisition of Real Property Motion by Wattjes, second by Rahe, to close the Public Hearing at 7:08 p.m. Regular Board Meeting Opened at 7:09 PM Received and placed on file the notices of the meeting. Motions approved by unanimous roll call vote: 2. Consent Agenda 3. 1% Increase in Restricted Funds Authority 4. 2024-2025 Budget Adoption 5. Resolution 2024-14; Set Final Tax Request 6. Ordinance 792 – Employee Salaries and Wages 7. Resolution 2024-15; NDOT Resolution and Certificate of Compliance 8. Norris – Electric Inventory Discussion: The Village Utility Superintendent discussed with the Village Board the issue of replacing/updating the water controls for the Village’s water wells. It was discussed that due to the complexity and possible amount of the project, the Utility Superintendent will try to acquire multiple estimates for the replacing/updating the water controls in 2025. Deanna Brown addressed the Village Board regarding her concerns about feral cats in town. She owns a dog boarding business and the feral cats are causing damage to her property and upsetting the dogs staying with her. She is wanting to work with the Village on a possible solution that is safe for the animals but helps with the number of feral cats within the Village. Ray and Reagan Brown, Lynn Hermsmeier and Janelle Vergith addressed the Board about a complaint regarding a Village employee’s actions concerning the feral cat issue within the Village. They discussed that the actions of the Village employee were dangerous and illegal and has asked the Village Board to take action regarding this matter. The Village Board will discuss this matter in greater detail. They also discussed a possible “Working Cats” program that they are looking into to help spay/neuter, vaccinate and tag feral cats within the Village. Saline County Deputy submitted the department’s monthly call report and stated that other than increased traffic in the mornings due to school starting, there have been no issues. Utility Superintendent, Hunter Oliver, addressed the Village Board regarding water main repairs downtown, the Wastewater treatment plant pump has been reinstalled and is being used as a standby pump to help ensure it remains working until the rehabilitation starts, HOA had to come and assist the Utility Superintendent due to issues with the Wastewater Treatment Plant controls whereas a relay was the issue, he is acquiring estimates for a new furnace and garage door trim for the Village shop, and that the baseball field sewer line will be repaired by early spring. The Village Clerk presented her report which consisted of sales tax and grant options for Community Center updates. Motion by Rahe, second by Wattjes, to close the Regular Meeting at 8:17 p.m. ATTEST: /s/ Lyle Fink Chairman, Board of Trustees Village of DeWitt, NE /s/ Moria Holly Village Clerk/Treasurer Village of DeWitt, NE SEAL Bills and claims approved: ACCO-$1765.60, Amazon-$568.93, Ameritas-$986.00, Beatrice Ready Mix-$153.24, Black Hills Energy-$189.51, Blobaum & Busboom-$1300.00, BCBS-$13914.53, Steve Bragg-$120.00, Capital Business-$126.00, Capital One-$42.87, Card Services-$2166.56, Chrysler Capital-$3259.44, Constellation-$35.82, Dept of Energy-$6305.48, DeWitt Aging-$282.10, Flood Comm-$892.00, Google-$14.40, Moria Holly-$50.00, Holly’s Home Improv-$8649.25, Homestead Land-$550.00, Internal Revenue Service-$3997.62, Iowa Pump-$9739.92, Lee Advertising-$97.45, Madison Natl Life-$27.34, Kyle Meers-$115.66, NDEE-$150.00, NE Dept of Revenue-$1335.69, NE Public Health Lab-$150.00, NE Life Mag-$52.00, Norris-$5592.34, Philippi Elec-$4025.00, Principal Financial-$213.66, Josi Remmers-$500.00, Saline Co Aging-$894.90, SCAT-$1580.00, Saline Co Clerk-$2308.50, Bobbie Scherling-$569.30, Schmidt Sanitation-$483.00, Seward Co Indept-$245.78, The Voice News-$174.00, Joan Tietjen-$68.94, Utility Service-$4262.23, Verizon-$345.65, Village of DeWitt-$299.75, Windstream-$1146.28, and Salary & Aggregate Wages-$13,962.13 WR — September 11, 2024 ZNEZ
