EGF council talks budget and permit fees

The East Grand Forks council stopped short of putting a number to a potential levy increase to balance a 2024 budget at last night (Tuesday).

Right now the proposed $13.6 million dollar spending plan would require an 11% levy increase to zero out the bottom line. The council has set a target of a 5% increase next year. At that level the city would need to dip into its budget reserve to the tune of $370,000 dollars.

Finance Direct Karla Anderson says there’s not a lot of options left to cut.  “There’s no wiggle room in nonpersonnel and equipment.”

Mayor Steve Gander says he really wants to hit that 5% mark – but time will tell.  “This old mayor has to be flexible too.  If something strange develops between now and the end of the year we would have to keep an open mind..”

The council will likely set a preliminary levy increase at next week’s meeting. Final budget approval will occur in December.
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Fees for building permits could be going up in East Grand Forks next year. The city council looked at several options for boosting the fees for residential remodels and new construction.
Community Development Director Nancy Ellis says the goal is to cover the costs of administering the program.  It’s been ten years since the last adjustment.
Through August of this year the city has issued 175 permits of all types. The council did not take any action on the fees at last night’s work session.