The Empire Village Council work session on February 13, 2025, involved discussions on various agenda items, including new business related to the Empire Winter Fest, an overview of the budget for FY 2025-26, and a review of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Key decisions included the approval of the agenda, waiver of fees for village property use, and consensus on employee wage increases and insurance coverage.
Public Comments
Teresa Howes raised concerns about the parcel acquisition and boardwalk items included in the CIP. Frank Clements expressed his disapproval of the CIP spreadsheet lacking these items and requested the removal of playground equipment and shelter at Shalda Park from the CIP.
Infrastructure Projects
A review of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) highlighted discussions about parcel acquisition and boardwalk construction at the south end of S Bar Lake. Council members discussed the timing for including projects in the CIP and noted the necessity for financial commitment over a five-year span. Furthermore, it was mentioned that funds for projects should be set aside annually, contingent upon the audited Fund Balance review.
Other Business
Various matters were addressed, including the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting, updates on wages and insurance for FY 2025-26, and adjustments made in the budget regarding the Parks Department. Comments from council members included the need for clearing the old office for meetings and concerns over truck traffic affecting local roads.
Financial Summary
The budget for FY 2025-26 saw several adjustments:
- $2,500 was allocated to both the Parks and Administration budget for tree maintenance.
- A total of $60,000 was contributed to the Major Street Fund from the fund balance.
- The anticipated cost for health insurance coverage for employees plus one will be added to the budget.
Action Items
1. Review and discuss family coverage versus spousal coverage for employee insurance in future meetings.
2. Follow-up on the use of village property for Empire Winter Fest and ensure that a permit has been submitted and necessary arrangements are made (Dye).
3. Explore options for setting aside funds for CIP projects during annual budget reviews.
4. Coordinate clearing the old office for potential meeting space utilization (Chase).
Source Document
This summary was AI-generated from the official meeting record. The full source document is the authoritative version.