Bill Moilien of Johnson Block and Company offered some good news to the City Council and all the residents of Hillsboro during his report on the yearly audit last week.
“Hillsboro is really healthy in fund balance,” he stated. “and the debt is at very favorable terms.”
Alderman Mark Lankey, the newly appointed Council President, added, “I think it looks pretty good,” after scanning the written report.
Treasurer Lisa Johnson then presented the 2013 year end City of Hillsboro financial report after noting that there is, naturally, some redundancy with the audit report.
The Council then unanimously accepted both reports, with Moilien adding. “You’ve had a lot going on, but Sheila (City Clerk Sheila Schraufnagel) and Lisa do a very good job.”
Council member Elizabeth Parish added, “Spectacular, as always.”
Mayor Greg Kubarski remarked that “Overall, I think we are sitting in pretty good shape.”
City Administrator Adam Sonntag pointed out, “We’ve taken advantage of good interest rates, rather then setting funds aside. Sometimes, it’s a better practice to borrow if the rates are good.”
The beginning 2013 fund balances were $2,274, 286 and the ending 2013 fund balances were $2,349,971.
Other business
The Council approved the employment of Bridgette Lange, Breanne Schraufnagel, and Britni Schraufnagel as city swimming pool lifeguards for the 2014 outdoor pool season. Kubarski and Sonntag supported the approval, stating that the three had been there for years and do a good job.
Hillsboro School District Superintendent Curt Bisarek was in attendance at the meeting to present a plan for a new electronic school sign to replace the one destroyed in a car accident. The digitally controlled sign will announce coming events planned in the school district.
After questioning, Bisarek assured Council members that the sign will be “toned down” every night at about 10 p.m.
In other action, the Council unanimously approved:
• A City Development Block Grant Application Contract;
• A wellhead protection plan;
• The repayment of a TID #2 Development Incentive Loan;
• Several retail and restaurant sidewalk use permits after a review by Police Chief Tom Richardson;
• Several operators’ licenses.
