TF council reviews budget

The budget for the City of Thompson Falls will be available this week for public review. At the monthly city council meeting last week, Mayor Rusti Leivestad reported that the budget would be available for public review beginning August 21. The council and public will have the weekend to review the budget before a public hearing is held August 26 at 5:30 p.m. to review before a 6 p.m. meeting to adopt the budget.

Council member Katherine Maudrone thanked City Clerk Chelsea Peterson for organizing the budget, which will be available on the city’s website. “It’s very detailed and organized,” Maudrone stated.

The council on Monday voted to apply for a tourism grant through the Montana Department of Commerce to help pay for new police vehicles. The city has ordered two SUVs at a cost of $92,180, which will be delivered in November. The grant application is for $75,000. The tourism grant comes from lodging facility taxes collected in the state. “We definitely need new police cars,” council member Shawni Vaught stated, adding that she has seen times in the winter when the current police vehicles can’t get to the upper part of town.

Cody Mosher with the Highlead reported back on the block party he organized earlier in the summer, saying it was successful and they would like to continue the event next year. Mosher said he will approach the council later this year to possibly ask to have Mill Street blocked off during the Christmas on Main Street event in December. “I heard nothing but great comments,” council member Shawni Vaught said of the June event.

In other action, the council approved reimbursements of $26,463.75 for the water project, $60,527.05 for phases 1 and 2 of the sewer project and $31,931.25 for phases 3 and 4.

Mayor Rusti Leivestad stated that there have been comments and confusion regarding Wild Goose Landing park. She said a copy of the easement, as well as details about the costs incurred by the city to maintain the park, are available on the city website. The city council voted earlier this year to terminate the agreement with NorthWestern Energy that had the city maintain the park. Leivestad explained that the move was a financial decision.

Council member Larry Lack, after the meeting, stated that he had an issue recently where someone tried to take one of his dogs from his property. “I would just like people to be aware,” he said. Lack noted that he has heard from other people having similar issues.

The next city council meeting will be Monday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m.