Just one decision away from a recommendation
The Fire Service task force is getting closer to a recommendation. Vice Chair Erica Zweifel commented on areas of agreement including Rural Fire’s method of capital equipment funding which is to set money aside and pay for it when they have enough. The current city model includes bonding which means debt cost. In regard to cost allocation distribution, the formula they chose weights each entity at 80% for their population and 20% of the property value. When calculated it comes to Northfield paying 74%, Rural (which represents the Townships) paying 21% and Dundas picks up the last 5%. They chose a representation model based on a 9 member Board. The Northfield City Council would appoint 5 members, Rural Fire would appoint 3 and the Dundas City Council would appoint 1 member. Zweifle was careful to use the word “appoint” because each entity would be given the option to select someone that, for example, may work in Northfield but live in Dundas or a township. The governing body of each entity will appoint the members. The townships decided that Rural Fire would represent them. So, a Board will be formed but the final decision will be how that Board will be used. Would they be an advisory board or a governing board? The options are creating a fire taxing district (which needs an act of legislation), forming a joint powers agreement or to continue with contractual agreements with each entity while giving this new Board the authority to advise and guide the Fire Department.
Department budget reviews are underway
Budget reviews are in full swing as Council moves toward setting their Budget for 2014. They heard from several departments this week including administration, human resources, city clerk and elections on what’s going on, what their accomplishments have been, their goals for next year and any budget requests. They don’t make any decisions during work sessions but listen and gather information they need.
Drive For Your Community and help NAUW
The Northfield Area United Way officially kicked off their 2014 campaign. Executive director, Betsy Spethmann says they are pleased to partner with so many great local organizations. This year their goal is $450,000. All money donated to NAUW stays in Northfield. You can donate in a variety of ways including online at northfieldunitedway.org. Tomorrow from 9am to 2pm, Dokmo Ford/Chrysler is sponsoring Drive For Your Community. You can test drive any new vehicle they have on Bridge Square and for each drive, Ford/Chrysler will donate $20 to NAUW. Last year this event raised over $3,000. Spethmann said there won’t be a big sales pitch, just an opportunity to drive a new vehicle and raise money for NAUW.
Circle Lake Assoc. holds 5K fun run and picnic tomorrow for water quality
The Circle Lake Association was formed over concerns of water quality of the lake. Representative Keith Kluzak says they’ve been recently testing phosphorous levels and discovered that they are the highest in Rice County. In fact, they are 5 times the acceptable levels set by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This impacts more than the people around Circle Lake. The water from there goes to Wolf Creek which enters the Cannon River Watershed. There are a number of factors that contribute to the problem. One of the projects that they just submitted a grant application for ravine erosion. Any sediment carries the phosphorus rich soil. Slowing down the water as it comes in gives the phosphorus more time to permeate into the soil before it gets to the lake. The Circle Lake Association is holding a 5K fun run on Saturday from 9am to 1pm. They’ll gather at the Forest Town hall off County Road 1 near Boonies in Millersburg. For more information check out circlelake.org. Phosphorus is what’s responsible for all the algae that grows in the lakes, choking off the oxygen.
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The post Today’s news update – Fire service just one decision away; City budget reviews; Drive For Your Community; Circle Lake water quality appeared first on KYMN Radio | Northfield, MN.