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Expenses associated with river flooding result in city deficit
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
The after-effects of river flooding in August 2007, coupled with escalating fuel and utility prices, are reverberating at Warsaw City Hall this fall.
The city's treasurer's report is showing a $68,000 deficit for the fiscal year ending March 31.
In August 2007, the Des Moines River, swollen with timber and debris from flooding upstream, carried its load to its confluence with the Mississippi River.
The Des Moines River flows into the Mississippi just upstream from Warsaw's water intake and major flooding events impact the city's water delivery system.
Sure enough, the volume of water going into the city's water plant in August 2007 was impeded by massive sand and debris blockage at the water intake in the river.
The city asked residents to be prudent in their water use and set up an emergency water line and gas-powered pump to keep the water plant running. Water department employees worked overtime to keep the city's water tower full, incurring additional overtime pay.
The cost of taking the emergency measures and diagnosing and fixing the water intake cost roughly $30,000, Mayor Robert Frank said.
That amount plus miscellaneous associated costs make up about half of the $68,000 deficit for Warsaw's fiscal year ending March 31.
Some of the city's expenses due to the high water event are indicated by several of the disbursements noted in the treasurer's report: Lambourne Diving Co., $24,994; Keokuk Contractors, $4,092; and consulting fees of $2,550.
Frank attributes the rest of the shortfall to higher utility costs, fuel cost increases and ever escalating prices for supplies at the water plant.
Fuel prices have been close to double at times since 2006, and the climb in transportation costs has bumped up the price of nearly all goods and services.
While the city wrestles with the water intake problem as well as rehabing equipment at the water plant, every year it makes a bond payment of $73,000 for building the 12-year old facility.
Warsaw's treasurer's report report shows total revenues of $1,567,696 for the year ending March 31 and total expenditures of $1,636,258.
The city's fund balances as of March 31 were: water works, $13,684; water bond interest fund, $67,214; water reserve fund, $47,016; water depreciation fund, $4,500; water fund, $13,417; water operation and maintenance, $1,330; water construction, $19,819; motor fuel tax, $41,364; Riverfront Park fund, $5,424; sewer fund, $26,258; sewer bond and interest fund, $11,537; sewer operation and maintenance fund, $2,855; sewer reserve fund, $41,979; sewer depreciation fund, $34,969; working cash fund, $41,167; Spinauger memorial fund, $1,120; street sign fund, $3168; street equipment fund, $12,819; street light memorial fund, $2,008; DUI fund, $6,846; sidewalk project fund, 26-cents; garbage account, $5,004; police car fund, $5,170; band tax fund, $620; drug asset fund, $3,958; road project fund, $253,832; and road project bond and interest, $739.
In other business, the city council:
Has a single bid from Tri-State Welding for $2,985 to repair the city's boat dock, which was damaged in the flood. The boat dock needs aluminum rewelding, boards replaced and bumper guards. The repairs will be made when FEMA funds are available.
Heard the water plant's telemetry system (communications from plant to pump station pit) is on line and the temporary gas-fueled pump for the temporary water intake will be replaced by a temporary diesel water pump.
Agreed to a mutual aid ordinance that will allow Warsaw police officers to help with crowd control at Titan football games.
Was informed that Nick Jamerson passed his state test and is now a certified part-time Warsaw police officer.
Briefly discussed the issue of golf cart use in the city limits. Safety Committee Chair Gary Tilton said his committee can't justify passing an ordinance to allow golf carts as legal transportation in the city.
Authorized borrowing funds from the Hill-Dodge Bank to move the city's water intake to the coal docks. Ultimately, FEMA funds will be used to pay for the project, but the city council wants to make sure financing will be available when it's needed.
Heard that the police department responded to 74 calls for service and initiated 51 calls in September, made four arrests, issued 12 citations and wrote 24 warnings. In August, the department had 109 calls for service, five arrests, 19 citations and 25 written warnings.
Heard the city has signed a lease agreement with Ursa Farmers Co-operative to put a water department communication antenna on one of the elevator's bins.
Approved four building permits in September: Rita Howard, Clark Street, privacy fence valued at $1,000; Ulla Homgren, Webster, six-foot tall wood fence, $1,500; Otis Thompson, Main, eight- by 22-foot dog pen, $1; and Ruth Clark, South Fourth, privacy fence south side of yard, $400.
Approved five building permits in August: Kevin and Kim Carr, Illinois Street, eight- by-12-foot patio valued at $1,000; Billie Launer, Clark Street, 16- by-28-foot addition and vinyl siding, $18,000; Jim Harrison, Webster St., 30- by 40-foot garage, $9,800; Tim Hamma, Cemetery Road, 35- by-15-foot carport on garage; and Otis Thompson, Main Street, conversion of existing garage into living space, replace existing garage door with 36-inch door and window, $400.
The city's treasurer's report is showing a $68,000 deficit for the fiscal year ending March 31.
In August 2007, the Des Moines River, swollen with timber and debris from flooding upstream, carried its load to its confluence with the Mississippi River.
The Des Moines River flows into the Mississippi just upstream from Warsaw's water intake and major flooding events impact the city's water delivery system.
Sure enough, the volume of water going into the city's water plant in August 2007 was impeded by massive sand and debris blockage at the water intake in the river.
The city asked residents to be prudent in their water use and set up an emergency water line and gas-powered pump to keep the water plant running. Water department employees worked overtime to keep the city's water tower full, incurring additional overtime pay.
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That amount plus miscellaneous associated costs make up about half of the $68,000 deficit for Warsaw's fiscal year ending March 31.
Some of the city's expenses due to the high water event are indicated by several of the disbursements noted in the treasurer's report: Lambourne Diving Co., $24,994; Keokuk Contractors, $4,092; and consulting fees of $2,550.
Frank attributes the rest of the shortfall to higher utility costs, fuel cost increases and ever escalating prices for supplies at the water plant.
Fuel prices have been close to double at times since 2006, and the climb in transportation costs has bumped up the price of nearly all goods and services.
While the city wrestles with the water intake problem as well as rehabing equipment at the water plant, every year it makes a bond payment of $73,000 for building the 12-year old facility.
Warsaw's treasurer's report report shows total revenues of $1,567,696 for the year ending March 31 and total expenditures of $1,636,258.
The city's fund balances as of March 31 were: water works, $13,684; water bond interest fund, $67,214; water reserve fund, $47,016; water depreciation fund, $4,500; water fund, $13,417; water operation and maintenance, $1,330; water construction, $19,819; motor fuel tax, $41,364; Riverfront Park fund, $5,424; sewer fund, $26,258; sewer bond and interest fund, $11,537; sewer operation and maintenance fund, $2,855; sewer reserve fund, $41,979; sewer depreciation fund, $34,969; working cash fund, $41,167; Spinauger memorial fund, $1,120; street sign fund, $3168; street equipment fund, $12,819; street light memorial fund, $2,008; DUI fund, $6,846; sidewalk project fund, 26-cents; garbage account, $5,004; police car fund, $5,170; band tax fund, $620; drug asset fund, $3,958; road project fund, $253,832; and road project bond and interest, $739.
In other business, the city council:
Has a single bid from Tri-State Welding for $2,985 to repair the city's boat dock, which was damaged in the flood. The boat dock needs aluminum rewelding, boards replaced and bumper guards. The repairs will be made when FEMA funds are available.
Heard the water plant's telemetry system (communications from plant to pump station pit) is on line and the temporary gas-fueled pump for the temporary water intake will be replaced by a temporary diesel water pump.
Agreed to a mutual aid ordinance that will allow Warsaw police officers to help with crowd control at Titan football games.
Was informed that Nick Jamerson passed his state test and is now a certified part-time Warsaw police officer.
Briefly discussed the issue of golf cart use in the city limits. Safety Committee Chair Gary Tilton said his committee can't justify passing an ordinance to allow golf carts as legal transportation in the city.
Authorized borrowing funds from the Hill-Dodge Bank to move the city's water intake to the coal docks. Ultimately, FEMA funds will be used to pay for the project, but the city council wants to make sure financing will be available when it's needed.
Heard that the police department responded to 74 calls for service and initiated 51 calls in September, made four arrests, issued 12 citations and wrote 24 warnings. In August, the department had 109 calls for service, five arrests, 19 citations and 25 written warnings.
Heard the city has signed a lease agreement with Ursa Farmers Co-operative to put a water department communication antenna on one of the elevator's bins.
Approved four building permits in September: Rita Howard, Clark Street, privacy fence valued at $1,000; Ulla Homgren, Webster, six-foot tall wood fence, $1,500; Otis Thompson, Main, eight- by 22-foot dog pen, $1; and Ruth Clark, South Fourth, privacy fence south side of yard, $400.
Approved five building permits in August: Kevin and Kim Carr, Illinois Street, eight- by-12-foot patio valued at $1,000; Billie Launer, Clark Street, 16- by-28-foot addition and vinyl siding, $18,000; Jim Harrison, Webster St., 30- by 40-foot garage, $9,800; Tim Hamma, Cemetery Road, 35- by-15-foot carport on garage; and Otis Thompson, Main Street, conversion of existing garage into living space, replace existing garage door with 36-inch door and window, $400.
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