By GEORGE NUNNEMACHER | July 12, 2023

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present.   

Following approval of the June 26, 2023, meeting minutes, Smith opened the floor for citizen participation; however, there were no citizens seeking to make comments or to share information with the council.  The council then went into an executive session for five minutes concerning a legal issue but returned to the meeting with no action taken.

Codes Enforcement Officer Don Hastings reported that 31 building permits were issued in June, including three for new residences.   This compares with 33 building permits issued including six for new residences last year at this time.   

Public Safety Director Corey Murrison reported on Police Department activity in the city during the past month, including one arrest for Aggravated Domestic Battery with Strangulation and one arrest for Driving While Suspended.   Officers responded to an ATV accident and two motor vehicle accidents in the city, and assisted Miami County on a Domestic Violence report.  

The Fire Department responded to one structure fire and one dumpster fire; as well as five medical calls including a jet ski accident, a four-wheeler accident, a fall, a lift assist, and a possible stroke in Linn Valley.  The department also responded to four incidents in Miami County including one fire alarm, one medical alarm, a fall with injuries and an adult male struck by lightning.   Murrison advised that the Fire Department’s annual July 4 Fireworks Sale Fundraiser was once again a huge success.  The sale netted profits more than $18,000 on gross sales of about $31,000.  He credited Robert and Darla Suppenbach for their many hours spent manning the fire house for the sale and noted that profits from the sale will go toward future equipment purchases.

City Clerk Karen Siffring presented the June 2023 Financial Report which included General Fund income of $205,203 and total expenses of $55,250.  The council voted to approve the payment of expense vouchers totaling $915,724 for the month of June.  The council reviewed a proposed budget and voted to submit it to Linn County.  It will include the proposed mill levy of 40.262.   The proposed levy amount will be forwarded to the county clerk, as required.  In August, the county will provide details of how the city’s, townships, county, etc. mill levies effect each individual property taxpayer.   It is anticipated that the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) will be exceeded by this budget.   A budget hearing will be held in late August or early September.  Based on Siffring’s recommendation, the council voted to award a prepay contract in the amount of $3,952 to MFA Oil Company for the city’s propane requirements.  The contract price of $1.83 per gallon compares to last year’s price of $2.05 per gallon.   

In her report, Smith reviewed progress on the council’s priorities which were set at the beginning of the year.  Smith elaborated on the many milestones that have been met with the water project, including progress on the procurement of the water tower and securing of necessary easements for the project.  It is notable, according to Smith, that the wastewater project will be completed without litigation, and that the council has maintained its priority to take on no additional significant debt.  

Smith and Council Member Lew Donelson addressed the issue of the city hall complex, noting that the council must soon come to a decision on whether to build a new city hall.  Donelson noted that the current lease on the city’s temporary building runs out in April 2026, just two and a half years from now.  City property just north of the fire station on Ullery Road has been discussed as a site for the new city hall.