Ettrick board approves budget with increases for staff, streets

The village of Ettrick doesn’t have much wiggle room when it comes to its budget, but an increase in state aid allowed officials to put more money for street repairs and to give staff members a five percent raise.

The village board approved a budget of $385,668 last week Tuesday. That amount is considerably higher than last year’s budget of $347,424, but the difference is made up by a roughly $40,000 increase in state aid. 

“We sure can use it,” Harold Olson, village trustee, said. “It’s about time the state gave us more money.” 

Much of that money, Olson told fellow trustees will go toward repairing streets. The cost for maintenance has increased and Olson noted that inflation has also hit the village budget. “Everything you buy is going up in price.” 

Village taxpayers won’t see much of a difference. The tax levy increased by less than $1,000 going from $127,077 this year to $127,815 in 2024. The tax rate will be about $16.61 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

Olson said the committee that worked on the budget also discussed ways to cut costs. He said the village’s insurance went up $5,000 so they may want to get more bids next year. He also said the village could save some money by switching from garbage bags to canisters. 

“The money is allocated right, you guys did a good job,” Marc Baures, village president, said. 

Olson complimented village deputy clerk Beth Osborn for her help.

“Thank God for Beth,” Olson said. “She has been with us for several years and does a great job.”

The board heard a presentation regarding the village wastewater treatment plant made by representatives from MSA. 

The date for the village caucus was set for Jan. 2. 

The village approved changes to the fire inspection ordinances. The changes will limit interior fire inspections to commercial buildings.