Council approves budget, Council resignation

RANDOLPH — The Randolph City Council adopted its budget last week and also accepted the verbal resignation of one of its members.

Randolph’s operating budget of nearly $9 million was approved at the Sept. 1 City Council meeting. This represents a 31 percent increase over last year’s budget of $6.6 million.

An increase in costs for the second phase of the Floodplain project was the primary reason behind the increase. Employee wage increases and street maintenance costs added to the growing budget.

The budget will represent an annual property tax request of almost 48 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

No one from the public attended the public hearing on the property tax request.

The Council also accepted the verbal resignation of Councilwoman Kalynda Kuhl after exiting executive session. Kuhl was appointed as the first female council member in 2018 and is leaving office due to a move out of town.

She will submit her written resignation Oct. 13 with an effective date of Oct. 14.

Her term was set to run through 2024. Mayor George Bradley will appoint someone at the November Council Meeting to fill her vacancy until the next election.

Council members also heard an update on a plan to replace sidewalks in town with more information to be released to affected residents next month. A cost-sharing program will be introduced at that time to either replace or put in new sidewalks.

Those residents who refuse to be part of the cost-sharing program when its introduced may be required to shoulder the cost on their own later, said City Administrator Ben Benton.

At its meeting last week, the Council also:

- Approved new signage for the Highway 81/20 junction and Highway 20/Main Street.

- Held a public hearing on the city’s street improvement plan.

- Heard a report about hydrant flushing Sept. 13-17 which may result in some water discoloration or water pressure changes for residents during that time.

- Discussed a change in process for building permits. The planning commission will approve building permits as they have previously but permits will also be approved by the City Council. The permits will be part of the regular consent agenda and the Council will have final authority over permits granted.

- Discussed progress toward demolition of a commercial property on West Broadway Street.

- Heard an update on the pool season. The city pool had 2,300 users this year compared with 1,500 last year. Food and beverage sales doubled year over year.

- Heard about a new law that goes into effect next month that disallows tax on residential water.

- Heard about notifications going out to cemetery plot owners for possible re-claim in three years if no response.

- Approved a liquor license for Jim’s Fine Wines to present at a wine tasting event Oct. 1 at the city auditorium.

- Heard an update on grant applications.

- Heard about the city’s metal recycling.

- Entered executive session to discuss Kuhl’s resignation and making an offer on a commercial property.

The next Randolph City Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13.