New Richland City Council Debates Flood Control and Council Pay Structure at Recent Meeting

In the New Richland City Council meeting held on November 12th, discussions focused on flood control challenges and potential changes to the council’s compensation structure. Both topics drew attention from council members and residents, highlighting ongoing community concerns and the need for strategic planning.

The meeting heated up during the public comment segment when Larry Muff, a long-time resident and former board member of the Salil Water Conservation District, criticized the city’s flood control efforts. Muff expressed dissatisfaction with Houston Engineering’s flood modeling, describing it as inadequate for New Richland’s realities. He argued that the 100-year flood standard was insufficient, given the severe rainfall events in 2010 and 2016, which he classified as 200-year floods. Muff warned that the financial implications of the existing flood study could range from $10 million to $30 million, yet might not prevent damages from similar future floods. He deemed the current spending strategy as inefficient, underscoring that over $100,000 had already been spent without yielding a viable solution.

Muff’s remarks prompted council members to consider alternative engineering firms, with Muff advocating for ISG, a firm he found effective during his work on water and wastewater initiatives. Muff’s insights drew attention to the need for a flood control system that aligns with actual local conditions, pushing the council to re-evaluate its approach and financial commitments.

The council also addressed a proposed change in the compensation and meeting schedule for its members. A motion was introduced to switch from a per diem to a salary-based model, proposing $100 per month for council members and $125 for the mayor. This change aimed to reduce costs and ease scheduling conflicts by potentially lowering the number of monthly meetings from two to one. Council members recognized the importance of fair compensation for their service and discussed the possibility of adjusting rates if new members brought fresh perspectives. The idea of reducing summer meetings to one per month while resuming two in the fall was floated, emphasizing the need for a consistent schedule to facilitate public engagement.

In addition to these primary discussions, the council moved to approve the results of the general election, acting as the canvassing board. A motion to approve resolution 24-24, which confirmed the election results, was passed unanimously.

Budget considerations were another focal point, with discussions on the general fund, enterprise fund, and upcoming street project budgets. The council noted a $100,000 transfer to the sewer budget due to underfunding, while the water fund remained stable. Discussions also touched on ambulance service revenues, where a $40,000 potential loss was identified due to undercharging compared to neighboring services. Adjustments to align with average rates were deemed necessary to rectify future revenue shortfalls.

Other items on the agenda included a routine contract increase for People Service, approved by the council, and an amendment to storm utility regulations. The council also supported a resolution to designate a handicap parking spot in front of a local church, with the church responsible for signage.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Janda Ferguson
City Council Officials:
Jody Wynnemer, Jason Casey, Ryan Gehrke

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