The allocation of property taxes to two entities were among the agenda items handled during Tuesday's meeting of the Wayne City Council.
Council members approved Resolution 2024-35 authorizing the allocation of property taxes to the Wayne Airport Authority in the amount of $83,787 for the coming fiscal year. This is up from $79,044 for fiscal year 2023-2024. The amount is an actual asking, rather than estimate based on property valuations.
Also approved was Resolution 2024-36 which authorizes the allocation of property taxes in the amount of 2.6 cents per $100 of taxable valuation of real property within the city of Wayne. The money is being requested by the Wayne Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) and is made available to the CRA through state statute.
It is estimated that this would generate approximately $88,000 for the CRA and could change if property valuations come in higher than expected. This will give the CRA a steady source of income for use on future projects within the city.
Council members approved a request from the Friends of the Library to waive the rental fee for the Freedom Park Shelter House for a fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 11.
A bid for $123,235.00 from WESCO was approved for the 69kV Circuit Switcher.
Paul Davis with DGR Engineering told the council that while only one bid was received, he felt good about this amount, as he was familiar with the company and had estimated $125,000 for the circuit switcher. He told the council this piece of equipment has a 90-week lead time and needs to be ordered now as the work begins on the electric substation planned for the northeast portion of Wayne.
Resolution 2024-39 was approved. It will update the existing cost-share rate for residential and commercial sidewalk replacement to more closely match 50% of current prices on bids on contract projects. The amendment will increase the reimbursement from $3 per square foot to $5 per square foot.
Resolution 2024-40 received unanimous approval. It will amend the interlocal agreement between the city of Wayne and Wayne Community School Board of Eduction. This involves the sharing of law enforcement resources between the two entities and increases the number of hours from 15 to 21 hours per week during the school year.
An interlocal agreement between the city and the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) for the Prairie Park Project. This involves an agreement with LENRD to provide funding up to $150,000 for the Prairie Park Project.
In other action, council members approved payment No. 1 in the amount of $163,305.00 to TR Harris for the Prairie Park Lake Amenities Project.
Matthew Smith with Olsson spoke to the council on the work currently being done at Prairie Park and gave a timeline for parts of the project that will be completed in coming weeks. These include putting rock around the lake, pouring the foundation for the pier and delivery of the bridge in late August or early September.
Certificate of Payment No. 9 in the amount of $206,919.00 to Otte Construction Company LLC for the Wayne City Hall & Police Relocation Project was approved.
Bob Soukup with Carlson West Povranda Architects gave an update on that project and said it is on track for a completion date of January 2025.
A pay application and certificate of substantial completion to Philip Carkoski Constructin and Trenching, Inc. for the 2023 Wastewater Treatment Facility Ultraviolet Light Improvements Project were approved.
Roger Protzman with JEO Consulting spoke to the council on the project and recommended both of these items be approved.
Tuesday's meeting also included a budget work session in preparation for the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget.
Council members spent considerable time discussing the upcoming fiscal year's budget.
This included the options for using money in the city's Keno Fund for projects at the Wayne Public Library/Senior Center, the Summer Sports Complex or the bathhouse at Prairie Park.
City Finance Director Beth Porter explained to the council projected expenses and revenues in a number of categories and said exact numbers for property valuations will not be known until later this month. At that time, the city can work to establish levies for the coming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, 2024.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
