Afton wraps up the fiscal year

AFTON - With the fiscal year coming to a close, the city of Afton approved fund transfers which will wrap up remaining balances for the city.

A resolution was approved during last week’s city council meeting, allowing an interfund transfer of sums. These funds will go toward various aspects of city maintenance.

Money from the city’s LOST fund, totaling $59,350, will be transferred to various other funds as the city wraps up fiscal year 2025. For street repairs, $40,000 will be transferred, alongside $10,000 for Wi-Fi, sidewalks and the maintenance of the splash pad (these services operate under the general fund).

About $1,350 will be placed in the economic development fund for exterior beautification grants. Future equipment needs will receive funding of $5,000, and the recreation fund will receive $3,000 for basic use and needs.

Outside of the LOST funds, additional transfers were made. Out of the Tyler fund, which comes from donations to the city, $5,000 will be used for cemetery improvements. An additional $15,000 from the electric fund will also be used for the cemetery.

The largest transfer comes from the electric fund to an electric sinking fund. A sinking fund is a dedicated account for unexpected repairs or replacements. A transfer of $164,262 to the electric sinking fund was approved.

Finally $37,210 from the sewer fund will go to a sewer sinking fund for principal and interest payment on the city’s SRF sewer revenue loan.

Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, a resolution was also passed to set salaries for city officers and employees. City Clerk Kayla Lacina will receive an 8% raise to $53,934.40, Police Chief Jake McGuire a 4% raise to $60,507.20, Maintenance/Sewer Head Jesse Shade a 4% raise to an hourly rate of $29.09 and Utility Clerk Crystal Thomas a 4% raise to $18.54 hourly.

In other Afton City Council news...

Various downtown facade and exterior beautification grants were awarded. During those approvals, the council discussed the possibility of adding a stipulation for the downtown facade to have the business owner keep the building for a certain amount of time.

Mayor Michelle Burger said she wanted to avoid a situation where a business owner received money from the city for the upkeep of their building and then sold the property.

Afton will be preparing over the next few weeks for the Pre Fourth Celebration, which will take place on the last weekend of June. The Kansas Street Boogie will return on Saturday, June 28, alongside the full celebration the next day on Sunday, June 29.

Waste collection fees will rise in Afton, following future approval of a new ordinance. The first reading for the ordinance took place Tuesday, with a $23 fee (from $21.50) for a 96-gallon container and $19 fee (from $16.25) for a 35-gallon container. Jim’s Sanitation will continue to collect solid waste weekly, charging per collection. A second reading will take place next month.

Afton will make a donation of $750 to the Volunteer Fire Department for washing the city’s streets.