BOONE, Iowa—After debate Tuesday evening, the Boone City Council voted to reduce funding requested for the Ericson Public Library for the next fiscal year by $36,000.  At the same time, the vote approved allowing the Police and Fire Departments to add an additional position each and also included the addition of a maintenance position which has attracted quite a bit of discussion.  The Council vote was 4-to-3.  The yes votes were cast by Steven Ray, B.J. McGinn, Kevin Hicks and Greg Piklapp.  Holly Stecker, David Byrd and Elijah Stines voted no.

The Special Council Meeting to deal with the budget for the next fiscal year began with a presentation by City Administrator Bill Skare.  Skare said the department heads would present a balanced budget, which called for very few changes.  He said the goals set by the Council during a meeting in December were being met, which included the creation of a new maintenance position.  Following the presentation of individual budgets for each department,  Council member Steven Ray said that the time had come to restore personnel for essential services,  in particular for the Fire Department which has added the responsibility of conducting Rental Code inspections and now third call ambulance service.  Part of the agreement with the Boone County Hospital calls for trained Paramedics for ambulance service, which is having an impact on current staffing.

The Police Department is in the process of filling a position that was recently vacated when an officer took a position with a state agency.  Another additional officer would bring the total to 18.

Much of the debate centered around the necessity of a maintenance position.  Elijah Stines, 3rd Ward Council member, noted that there is no job description for the position and current needs could be met through contracted services.  He did feel the fire fighter position could be covered by current funding within the department.

During the public comment time, resident April Burch criticized the decision of council to cut funding requested for the Ericson Public Library noting the decision could lead to the reduction in staffing and hours of operation which in turn could affect the libraries accreditation.  She also suggested that the city review their Economic Development Benefit of offering tax abatement’s, saying that new homes and building additions in the past year would have probably taken place anyway and the incentive wasn’t needed.

Former Council member Gary Nystrom commended the council for making the tough decisions needed to provide service to the public.  He was on the council during goal setting and brought up the need for the newly created maintenance position.

City Administrator Bill Skare says the council’s action is expected to keep the levy rate unchanged in the next fiscal year.  The budget information will need to be finalized and will need to go through a formal public hearing prior to being adopted.  He also said there is a possibility that legislative action over the next couple of months could have an impact on the budget.