Lisa Ybarra

The special meeting was convened to consider adopting the tentative budgets for the fiscal year 2016-2017 for three entities: the City of Shelley, the Country Club Road Urban Renewal Agency, and the Shelley Urban Renewal Agency. The City of Shelley's total proposed budget was discussed, noting an approved fee increase of 80 for EIRWWA, rather than the proposed 188. The tentative budget for the City of Shelley ($9,298,547) was adopted unanimously. Tentative budgets for the Country Club Road Urban Renewal Agency ($180,000) and the Shelley Urban Renewal Agency ($64,586.70) were also presented and adopted unanimously. Public hearings for budget adoption and fee increases were scheduled for September 7, 2016.

This work meeting focused on discussing the budget for the fiscal year 2017-2018 across several funds. Discussions covered the potential transfer of property taxes and personal property tax replacement funds from the General Fund to the Street Fund for improvements, resulting in an appropriation of $170,000 for street improvements and $80,000 for seal coating. The Water Fund's contingencies were noted as low, with prior fund usage for a water tank project and water rights purchase; however, it was determined there would be no water rate increase this year. The Sanitation Fund appears stable, allowing for annual budgeting for a new garbage truck. The Sewer Fund continues to allocate $200,000 annually for treatment plant improvements, and while sewer rates have increased to cover rising operational maintenance (OM) costs, a proposed $2 per ERU rate increase to help with inflation and future upgrades will be presented at the Budget Hearing. Department heads' requests for State Revenue Sharing Funds, including a new public works truck, a new police car, and City Hall hardware/software upgrades, were discussed, with further consideration scheduled for a special meeting.

Key discussions included a resident's request to keep a pygmy goat as an emotional support animal, which the City Attorney agreed to research further based on ADA and Fair Housing regulations. The Council approved a fireworks sale license for Broulims Supermarkets. A debt discharge of $42,907 owed by Karma Ohman for utility services was approved. The Council also ratified a clarification to Ordinance 582 regarding R2A regulations, specifying that off-street parking must be large enough to accommodate two vehicles side by side. Department reports noted that Public Works crews were busy with street line painting and weed spraying, and the Police Chief reported successful recruit testing with Oral Boards scheduled. The City Attorney is currently working on the petition to form a Recreation District.

The Budget Hearing was convened to consider the adoption of the budgets for the fiscal year 2017-2018. Key discussions involved a detailed review of each fund's proposed budget, expenditures, and revenues over the previous five years. A public hearing regarding fee increases, specifically for the sewer rate and the asphalt replacement fee, was held with no public testimony provided. The body subsequently adopted the total budget for 2017-2018 and approved resolutions to increase the asphalt replacement fee to $4.50 per square foot and the sewer rate by $2 per ERU. Appropriation Ordinance 590 pertaining to the 2017-2018 budget was also adopted. Financial details covered property tax levies, changes in insurance costs, proposed cost of living raises (3% for Police, 2% for others), and detailed breakdowns for the General Fund, Street Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, Sanitation Fund, and State Revenue Sharing Fund. Significant capital expenditures planned include items for the Water Tank Project, equipment purchases like a new sanitation truck and sewer vac truck, and recodification of city ordinances.

The Council meeting addressed several financial and administrative matters. Key discussions included the proposal to close the Shelley Economic Development Corporation account and transfer its remaining balance to the Shelley Riverwalk Trust account, along with the reimbursement of a direct contributor to the Riverwalk project. The Council also determined that jurisdiction over complaints regarding the speed limit on Baseline Road at the Butte lies with Bingham County Commissioners, who should be contacted by complainants. Furthermore, the Council discussed DEQ funding opportunities and approved protocols for volunteer committee and employee Christmas gifts. The Mobile Food Vendor license application for Sergio Elizondo dba El Gueybero was approved, contingent upon a future review of the current ordinance. Finally, the Council voted to cancel the November 11, 2014, meeting due to Veterans Day.