Ironwood City Commission passes $15 million budget

By P.J. GLISSON

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Ironwood - After a related public hearing that drew no public comment, the Ironwood City Commission passed a new fiscal budget of $15,180,000 on Monday evening.

The new budget, for which the vote was unanimous, will cover the fiscal year starting on July 1 and ending on June 30, 2023.

"The budget is a living and breathing document that can be amended at any time throughout the year," reminded Paul Linn, finance director and treasurer.

Linn, who presented the budget and steered the hearing, reported that the budget preparation process began on Feb. 1 and proceeded through three workshops and a public review. He thanked any and all city officials who helped in preparing the finished product.

The commission's unanimous vote was for Resolution No. 022-013, which officially approves the budget and authorizes the related total millage of 29.6415 to be levied.

The total millage includes 19.2 mills for the general fund - the same as last year - with remaining millage amounts covering the library fund, the Civic Center fund, the 2015 Street Bond Debt Service, and the police/fire pension fund.

Commissioner Jim Mildren asked about the timing on the street bond, and Linn stated that the 10-year bond will end in 2025 in the same year that related millage also will cease.

Mildren added that it was "extremely beneficial" for the city to have addressed many streets as a result.

Regarding the new budget, Linn said, "There're a lot of different changes from year to year for many reasons."

For instance, he said that a 3% increase in public safety occurred simply due to a corresponding increase in expenses. He added that the budget also reflects planned work on the Ironwood Memorial Building and at city parks.

Linn also noted the city's decision to add a new position of city engineer in the wake of Scott Erickson resigning this year from his dual role as city manager and city engineer.

Erickson served as city manager until June 6 but is still serving as city engineer until new leadership is hired.

Meanwhile Andrew DiGiorgio, director of the Ironwood Public Safety Department, served his first meeting Monday as the interim city manager.

The budget resolution also included approval of a separate 1.914 mills for the C-2 Downtown Commercial District, as well as authorization for a 1% property tax administrative fee and a 3% late penalty fee, along with the adoption of a new city fee schedule.