In a meeting Monday evening at Rugby’s City Hall, the Rugby City Council approved the city’s preliminary budget for 2020.

“[It’s a] tight budget,” Rugby Mayor Sue Steinke said Monday, “no frills.”

The city is projected to levy 111.43 mills or $858,560 on taxable properties in the city. Of the 111.43 mills or $858,560, 92 mills or $708,860 makes up the city’s general fund; 5.97 mills or $46,000 make up the Public Recreation fund; 2.47 mills or $19,000 are to be levied for snow removal; seven mills or $53,900 for the Heart of America Library; and four mills or $30,800 will be levied for the Job Development Authority.

The city is projected to receive over $5.15 million in revenues for all funds in 2020. However the city is also projected to incur over $5.28 million in expenditures, leading to a net budget deficit of $131,765.

A hearing on the proposed budget will be held Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Changes to Enterprise Fund rates

The council approved a resolution setting Enterprise Fund rates and fees for 2020.

The base rate for Water Supply will stay the same at $20 per month. However, the surcharge for each thousand gallons of water will increase to $5.84 from $5.62. Funds raised will go to the Water Treatment & Supply Fund.

The base rate for Sanitary Sewer will increase to $11 per month from $9. A fee of $1.50 will be assessed on each gallon of water used, up to 12,000 gallons. Funds raised will go to the Sanitary Sewer Operations fund.

Landfill surcharges will decrease in 2020 from $2 to $1.50.

Infrastructure repair and maintenance surcharges will increase from $4.49 to $4.66 per month. Of the $4.66, $1.16 will go to the Infrastructure Maintenance fund (up from $1.12); $2.34 will go to the Water Treatment & Supply Capital Improvement fund; and $1.16 will go to the Sanitary Sewer Operations Capital Improvement fund.

The Storm Water surcharge will remain the same at $3 per month.

Other actions

– The council approved a pre-application for a Souris Basin Community Development Block Grant for Western Avenue development.

– The council approved by a 5-2 vote the second reading of Ordinance No. 417, which makes changes to city water service ordinances.

– The council approved a pre-application for a community development block grant for Kate Halvorson, who wanted to remodel apartments on the upper level of the former Ellie Ann’s building into six ADA-compliant apartments.

– The council approved a raffle permit application for Rugby Dollars for Scholars.

– The council approved July meeting minutes, bills, financial statements, Job Development Authority minutes and financials, and the municipal judge’s report.