LeAnne Kavanagh – Cut Bank Pioneer Press

Mrs. Kavanagh asked for an itemization of the budget amendments when they were brought up for discussion.

At 6:35 PM, City Attorney Robert Smith sworn in Clerk-Treasurer Diana Filban as to the time, place of the hearing, her position with the City of Cut Bank and the official advertising of this public hearing. City Attorney Smith asked Clerk-Treasurer Filban to review the budget amendments. She did as follows:

General Fund – Swimming Pool: It was necessary to purchase a thermo guard cover ($8,700.00) for the swimming pool in the 2007-2008 budget to begin operations of the pool for the season.

Animal Control Grants: An unanticipated $1,000.00 grant was received from PetCo in late June for the purchase of kitty cages for the animal shelter. The grant specified the money must be spent before June 30, 2008. The revenue and expenditure side of the animal control grant funds were changed to reflect this.

Street Lighting Fund: The expenditures for street lighting exceeded the amount originally budgeted for by $2,700.00. The amount will come from the reserves for this fund.

STEP Grant Fund: An unanticipated $4,000.00 grant was received from the State Highway traffic Safety Bureau for the fiscal year 2007-2008. Fund 2919 was created to track the expenditures and revenues from this grant.

General Fund – Police Department: The fuel budget for the police department went over budget by $4,600.00 and the purchased services budget went over $6,400.00. This necessitated an increase in these two budget items. In addition, $4,000.00 was moved from object code 940 Machinery and Equipment to 211 Small Machinery to cover the expenses for new computers at the police department.

The public hearing for the 2007-2008 budget amendments was closed at 6:47 PM.

At 6:47 PM, City Attorney Robert Smith sworn in Clerk-Treasurer Diana Filban as to the time, place of the hearing, her position with the City of Cut Bank and the official advertising of this public hearing. City Attorney Smith asked Clerk-Treasurer Filban to attest to the fact the preliminary budget for 2008-2009 was prepared to be the best of the City’s ability at this point in time. City Attorney Smith asked Clerk-Treasurer Filban when the final budget would be completed. Clerk-Treasurer Filban indicated at this time the final budget hearing was scheduled to be on August 18, 2008; dependent on the receipt of the values from the State of Montana. LeAnne Kavanagh indicated she had spoken with the Clerk and Recorder’s Office recently about receiving an early estimate on the mill values for Glacier County. According to Mrs. Kavanagh it may be possible for the Clerk and Recorder’s Office to submit a request to the State Assessor’s office and have preliminary values sent to the County and possibly the City. Clerk-Treasurer Filban stated she was not aware of that, but would look into it for next year. The public hearing was closed at 6:55 PM.

The regular meeting of the City Council was called back to order at 6:55 PM.

Councilperson Eaton moved to approve Resolution 08-11 for the amendments to the 2007-2008 city budget. Councilperson Solberg made the second motion. LeAnne Kavanagh from the Cut Bank Pioneer Press asked a few questions about the budget amendments, which the Mayor and Clerk-Treasurer answered. Councilperson McCauley asked about the Street Lighting Fund. City Superintendent Suta explained there is an assessment from the public for payment of the lighting, but the budget estimate is just that an estimate there is no monthly contracted amount. The call to vote was 3-0 in favor of the motion.

Councilperson Eaton moved to approve the preliminary budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Councilperson Solberg made the second motion. The call to vote was 2 in favor with Councilperson McCauley being the nay vote. The motion carried 2-1.