City of Red Bud approves budget
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[As are other communities, Red Bud faces the prospect of getting by on less in today's weakened economy. Figuring out ways to accomplish that is never easy.
Thus, last week at their June meeting, the City Council belatedly approved the annual budget for the fiscal year which actually began on May 1. The Finance Committee will monitor budget spending monthly. There will be no line item transfers allowed before August.
Cutting costs generally results in someone's ox being gored, i.e. someone will always object to any cost-cutting proposal and sometimes they have sound reasons for their objections.
That was the case, when Dan Brotz, the assistant chief of police, approached the council with a proposal to purchase two 2007 Ford autos from Government Fleet Sales in Missouri for the police department.
The cars had previously been used as military police cars by the federal government. The vehicles have less than 6,000 miles on them, are in good condition, and are inexpensive, explained Brotz. They are on hold for the city, though, only for a short time, he said. The city could purchase an extended warranty on the cars, which are being sold as is.
Alderman Harold Cowell argued that the city should look into buying new cars instead of used. The cars could be purchased locally and would be under warranty. Repairs could be done locally, too, further helping the local economy.
In the end, the council opted for the lower-priced used cars. Alderman Scott Schubert mentioned the need to "save pennies where we can."
Some good economic news came from Illinois Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville), who notified city officials that the city has been awarded a $40,000 grant. The funds will be used for sewer line work.
After an executive session, it was announced that the city will appeal the state's ruling that the North County Country Club must pay real estate taxes. City Attorney Mark Rohr will go before the Illinois Department of Revenue and argue that since the property is owned by a municipality it should be tax exempt.
The city owns the property and leases it to the country club. The city has similar arrangements with other entities, such as the Red Bud Athletic Association, which has a lease to a sports complex. That property is tax exempt as it is owned by the city.
By the way, the council approved extending the sports complex lease for another year at last week's meeting.
The council waived a transient vendor license for vendors taking part in the Chamber of Commerce's planned farmers' market. Plans call for the farmers' market to operate on Saturdays beginning in July. The market will set up on the City Hall parking lot.
"I cannot tell you how thankful I am that they could take the time and do the hard work," Mayor Ken Mueller said, while recognizing the Senior Circle, which cleaned up the city cemetery recently. Mueller expressed hope that other organizations will follow the Senior Circle's lead.