The theme of last week’s Becker City Council meeting was internal review: the council reviewed the 2020 audit and prepared to conduct a water/utilty study and a job classification study.

2020 Annual Audit

The council heard a presentation about the city’s recent audit. No major issues were found with the city’s finances, though the auditor did find an issue regarding lack of segregation of accounting duties, though the city does actively take other steps to ensure proper accounting. The only way to truly solve the issue, however, would be to hire more employees to the accounting department. The auditor said the city ultimately had to weigh the costs and benefits of doing so, but that the issue wasn’t significant enough to necessarily warrant a change.

Though the city’s revenues were down from what was expected for the last year, due mainly to COVID-19, expenditures were also down, thanks to federal and state aid given to the city.

Committee Reports

The planning commission held a couple of public hearings regarding accessory structure height and recreational vehicle operation on public roads. No puplic comment was received. The commission went on to discuss minimum lot width.

The golf committee went over the revenue made at Pebble Creek last year, which was phenomenal. They continue to pursue adding simulators to the clubhouse.

Water and Domestic Utility Rate Study

The last water and domestic utility rate study took place in 2016 and the information was used to plan budgets for 2017-21. A two percent increase to the water and sewer budget every year has been covering the growth of the utility, but it’s important to do a formal study every three to five years, both because it’s required by the state and because it provides important information on growth.

The finance committee recommended continuing with a two percent increase for water and sewer, with a four percent increase year over year in the tier two sewage usage rate, for those who use the utility more than the base amount.

Job Classification and Compensation Study

A study on city job classifications and compensation will be conducted. The city hired Galagher, a company with whom they hope to create a good professional relationship. The service will cost $31,500, though the city had budgeted $19,500.

“I am disappointed that we weren’t budgeted correctly for this type of study,” said Mayor Tracy Bertram, but noted that it was very important to be able to attract and retain city employees.

In Other Business, the Council:

• Added zoning language for the historic T Town area;

• Made language edits regarding home occupation;

• Allowed Becker Youth Baseball to keep equipment in a shipping container at Becker Athletic Complex, pending the completion of a shed being created by a high school shop class;

• Went over the purchase of a bond to cover street reconstruction costs.