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<br />City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby explained that they had numerous personnel requests <br />in the budget and assuming that they do not get all of these new employees they will have funds <br />left over to help with contracted services. He stated that if they get these positions, they would not <br />need the $500,000. He stated that they should have enough left in the budget to buy patching <br />materials. He added that they also do not know what the potholes will be like next year. <br /> <br />Finance Director Lund explained that there is still $575,000 in the budget related to the street <br />maintenance items. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff asked where it was included. <br /> <br />Finance Director Lund stated that it was included in the status quo budget. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Riley asked if this was the consistent amount that they have been doing for years. <br /> <br />Finance Director Lund stated that last year it was $252,000. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht asked if the skim patching is going to hold up through the winter. He noted <br />that with the streets in an emergency state, this cannot happen again. He asked if they for sure will <br />not need the extra money for streets. <br /> <br />Street Supervisor Turner stated that he is hesitant to say that they do have a handle on the streets <br />as he worries that the roads could become an issue again due to their age. He stated that they can <br />handle this if they need to with more workers. He said he hopes that they will not need the extra <br />money but there is no way to know for sure. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Riley stated that if they added the $500,000 to the budget it would be a 15.9% <br />increase. <br /> <br />Finance Director Lund added that they never know what the winter will look like and the effect it <br />will have on the roads. She suggested looking at using the PIR fund and budgeting the higher <br />amount for next year. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Riley stated that this was a good idea since there was still so much unknown. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff asked if the three positions are added if they will also need another <br />asphalt trailer or more equipment. <br /> <br />City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby stated that this year was an anomaly as they could <br />not get materials and equipment. He noted that all three of the current trailers are in good operating <br />condition. <br /> <br />City Administrator Hagen added that there were tasks that had not been done for a number of years <br />as well. He stated that even if they cannot patch the roads, there are other tasks, like street <br />sweeping, that these new workers could do. <br />City Council Work Session / July 25, 2023 <br />Page 5 of 11 <br /> <br />