Audit: City's balance improving

An independent auditor's report shows the city of Brainerd's general fund balance increased in 2002 after declining the previous two years.

Tom Koop, of the accounting firm Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co., told the Brainerd Personnel and Finance Committee Monday night the audit results were good.

"The results were clean, very clean," Koop said at the committee meeting. " Remember a year ago I mentioned, while not a crisis, the fund balance did need to come up. Revenues have exceeded expenses."

The city of Brainerd had $1.3 million in its balance at the end of 2001. At the end of 2002 that amount was more than $1.5 million. The city's general fund was close to $2 million in 1999.

The Brainerd City Council Monday accepted the audit report from Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co.

At the council meeting, Mary Koep questioned just how good the 2002 increase was, noting that the city had received an increase in local government aid from the state last year, and that the city still exceeded its 2002 budget.

"Once again it seems to me the overall picture you're painting is an optimistic one," said Koep. "But the city still overspent their general fund compared to the budget."

In other action, the council:

Approved plans and specifications for the Oak Street reconstruction project, and ordered bids returned by 10 a.m. on July 16.

Approved plans and specifications for the Laurel Street reconstruction project and ordered the advertisement of bids.

Set a special city council meeting for 5 p.m. on June 24 to award Dial-A-Ride bids.

Denied a request, by a 4-3 vote, from the Brained Parks and Recreation Department for $1,430 for trophies for youth competitive baseball and softball programs. Council members Scheeler, Fisher, and Nesheim voted against the denial.

Approved a temporary application from the Brainerd Elks Club for a retail license to sell 3.2 beer for an event to be held on July 4 at the Brainerd Elks Club parking lot.

Had the second reading on a proposed ordinance to rezone land owned by Arthur L. Jentsch from suburban residential to multi-family.

Had the second reading on a proposed ordinance amendment rescinding the Byron L. Eliseuson property annexation fro Oak Lawn Township.

Approved a joint powers agreement for the Brainerd/Crow Wing County bomb disposal unit for Jan 1., 2003, to June 30, 2004.

Heard a presentation from Torrey Carlblo, from the Heartland Gateways project, a joint venture between Brainerd and St. Cloud entities for an flight bank to help lower tickets costs at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport and the St. Cloud Regional Airport.

Directed staffers, by a 6-1 vote, to draft a proposed ordinance requiring conditional use permits for commercial parking lots in residential areas. Voting against the direction was council member Gary Scheeler, who felt the item should first go to the Brainerd Planning Commission for review.

Adopted an ordinance regulating the use of phosphorus turf fertilizer.

Had the second reading on a proposed ordinance amending the city's code pertaining to connection to municipal utilities to state that property owners have one year to hook up to the sewer once it is available, with inspections to occur every three years.

Had the first reading on a proposed ordinance adding shoreland management regulations to the Brainerd City Code.

Called for applicants for a three-year term on the Brainerd Cable Advisory Committee, and for a five-year term on the Brainerd Housing and Redevelopment Authority.

Approved allowing employees, if they chose, to sign up with AFLAC insurance subject to final review and approval of program by City Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick.