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Good news in Hillsboro treasurers first-half report
The budget is decreasing, but savings and investmentsare up
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Hillsboro Treasurer Lisa Johnson brought some good news to City Council members at Monday night’s regular business meeting.

Johnson presented the first half Treasurer’s Report for 2014, covering Jan. 1- June 30.

Following is her report, which is certainly good news for the Hillsboro taxpayers, as well as the Council.

• January: The City received a Department of Natural Resources Forestry Grant for $5500 and a State Energy Office Planning Grant for $4250. The Urban Forestry Grant will cover expenses for  mapping of trees and removal and planning for new trees. The State Energy Grant will cover costs associated with seeking energy assessments throughout the City of Hillsboro.

• February: The City issued a mandatory water run on Feb. 14. The City spent $13,367.24 from the middle of January to May 1, due to water main freeze-ups and breaks.

• April: On April 29, the City approved Resolution #06-2014 - Repayment of TID #2 Development Incentive Loan with Royal Bank. The final payment consisted of $85,697.26 of principal and $272.36 of interest.

• May: On May 26, 2014 the City approved a five-year lease totaling $32,743.75 with Ford Credit for the purchase of a 2014 Ford Expedition for the Police Department. This has replaced Sgt. Pat Clark’s 2008 Ford Expedition.

• June: The City of Hillsboro has submitted eight requests for reimbursements with the State Department of Natural Resources for Well #3. Total project costs to date are $725,193.92.The total savings and investments ending June 30, 2014 were $2,640,449.43 versus $2,588,537.56 as of June 30, 2013.

The budget comparisons for the last four years are as follows:

• 2011 budget:  $1,269,604

• 2012 budget: $1,260,741

• 2013 budget: $1,248,854

• 2014 budget: $1,245,427

In the last four years the City’s budget has decreased $24,177 due to State restrictions and levy limitations. Soon the city will be faced once again with working strategically with less to accomplish more.

The major 2015 proposed expenses are health insurance, library, street improvements, employee wages, bike trail extension, CD set aside, and E3 Coalition planning.

Other business

In other business, the Council unanimously:

• Approved Boy Scout Nolan Hammer’s Eagle Scout project of constructing a gazebo at Hammer-Klopfleisch Park as a memorial to Charlene Darcy.

• Declined anti-terrorism insurance for the airport.

• Accepted a low bid of $68,711 for a street project.

• Agreed to rerun advertisements for bids to replace the roof on the city salt shed due to lack of response.

• Approved the addition of a parking lot for the library as the  preferred option, rather than a ramp.

• Approved a request from Station 2 Pub for a Street Use Permit on Prairie Ave. to accommodate a motorcycle group that is planning to stop in Hillsboro after a visit to Elroy.

• Approved Friday, July 25 for the opening of the new disk golf course in Valentine Park next to Albert Field Memorial Park. Individual financial sponsors of the holes have been invited as special guests.

• Approved plans for a Hillsboro Historical Society rededication to mark the 100th anniversary of the Albert Field Memorial Park that was given to the city by the Field family. Hopefully, Field ancestors may be located and invited to attend the event, probably on a Sunday afternoon. A date is still to be selected.