The Owen Common Council held their budget hearing before their regular meeting on Tuesday, November 28. With no members of the public present, the budget was approved as presented.
In their regular meeting, the council got an update on the nuisance property abatement. Chief of Police Patrick Fehlman said that a status conference has been scheduled for December 8 where next steps will be agreed on. Alderperson Bob Wilczek said he has noticed some progress being made.
The council moved on to discuss the hiring of an accountant. This issue came up after Mayor Scott Jalling and Alderperson Ray Kilty had a phone call with the city attorney about other issues. During that conversation, the attorney made a comment about asking the city’s accountant. Jalling asked at the United Communities meeting how many of the municipalities had an accountant separate from their clerk/treasurer. Most said their clerk performs that function. Only one has a separate accountant. Based on that information, Jalling said he didn’t see the need for a separate accountant. Council members agreed and no action was taken.
In another item that came out of the discussion with the city attorney, a proposed SOP for Financial Procedures was on the agenda. Alderperson Pam Jaffke asked what the reason was and when it has been an issue. Kilty said that there is a lot of liability for Clerk Tracy Rau if they are not following procedures. He added that a lot of the procedures are included in city ordinances. Jaffke felt it was overkill. The Personnel Committee can look at any changes needed and add them to the Employee Handbook. Kilty said that procedures in the ordinances and handbook don’t match. Jaffke also felt that putting a bidding process in the SOP was detrimental to getting things done. Alderperson Bob Wilczek also felt it was overkill but might be helpful for tracking. He said all employees need to be protected. Personnel can look at policy and bring any needed changes back to the council. DPW Chad Smith said it would affect buying local if some things that aren’t currently bid had to be bid. He gave fuel as an example. Alderperson Jason Thornton talked about county procedure with purchase orders. Smith said that is more for large businesses and large cities. Kilty said that Rau should sign all contracts as she signs the checks. Wilczek said that both the department head or mayor and the clerk could sign. Jalling felt that having the clerk sign contracts was just saying that money is available to pay the bill. The issue was moved to the Personnel Committee for further discussion and handbook changes.
Jalling asked at the United Communities meeting about per diem increases. He was of the understanding after that meeting that any approved meeting per diem increases would only apply to those up for election. Jaffke said the budget for next year was just approved. Wilczek felt they could talk about it for a year from now. Jalling said Owen’s meeting per diem is lower than most. Jaffke felt that budgets are tight and the city should come first. She is open to looking at it for the 2027 budget. Alderperson John Mauel felt if it was going up, it should go up for everyone at the same time. The issue was forwarded to the Finance Committee for further discussion.
2026 contracts were approved for Bauman Associates for the city audit and Harold Wolfgram as the city attorney. Bauman will charge $27,225 for the audit and the fee for the city attorney will be going up $16 per hour.
Under Other Reports, Thornton said that the Fire District is moving ahead with applying for grants for a new fire hall.