City approves $46M budget for 2023

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HURON — The Huron City Commission had the second reading of the 2023 budget at its Monday evening meeting and approved it unanimously.

The budget’s final overall number is $46,265,111, a 14% increase over the 2022 budget. City Finance Director Paullyn Carey noted that additional revenues were expected, and that allowed for the increase.

“We had 1.29% new growth last year,” Carey announced to the commission. “We haven’t seen that amount of growth since 2014.”

The meeting opened with a variance request from CSL Properties at 1100 Lincoln Ave. SW to construct steel building(s) to house mail trucks. This would be commercial property use in an area currently zoned R-4, or multiple family residential district.

City planner Barry Cranston explained that the property is across the street from commercial property and borders on commercial property, so the use was not in question for the hearing examiner, who suggested approval. As part of the permit process, a six-foot fence will need to be constructed on the property on any sides of the property that border residential.

After hearing from the developer, the commission voted unanimously to grant the variance.

Assistant city engineer Dennis Bennett presented a pay request for Henry Carlson Construction, LLC in the amount of $32,044.39 for the relocation and replacement of storm sewer work along with the DEX project. This will be reimbursed to the city through ARPA money. This was approved.

The commission also approved the IT Specialist to conduct a risk assessment on city infrastructure as part of coursework.

Commissioners also:
• Approved the hire of Krysten Sifuentes for the part-time library clerk position.

• Recognized the resignation of Kristopher Harp from the Solid Waste Maintenance 1 position.
• Approved posting and advertising a Solid Waste Maintenance I position.
• Approved the renewal of the Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for the gaging station on the James River.
• Approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 2241-24-9 regarding final plats for subdivisions.