Kasson City Council approves pay increase
The Kasson City Council passed a pay increase for council members at their January 28 meeting.
Mayor Dan Eggler and council members Sheldon Torkelson, and Ryan Christensen voted yes. Paul Johnson voted no, and Melisa Ferris abstained because she is the only council member not up for reelection this November.
Kasson’s council members are currently paid $3,000 annually, which will increase to $4,000, in line with Byron, The increase goes into effect after the next election cycle, when four seats will be up for grabs.
According to council minutes from the Jan. 14 meeting, Eggler stated that he looked at Byron and Stewartville council and mayor salaries. The last time Kasson officials had an increase was in 2014.
Christensen stated that being comparable to Bryon would be favorable. Johnson stated that he believes elected officials should be volunteers, and he would not want people running just for the salary. He would be in favor of the yearly cost-of-living adjustment. Ferris stated that she could see Johnson’s perspective and that there has not been a lot of competition during elections.
Gambling ordinance
Changes to the gambling ordinance will be on the consent agenda next month. The proposed changes are to sections 13 and 15, which currently set the gambling tax at 3% annually on gross receipts of a licensed organization, after subtracting prizes paid out and requires organizations to spend 100% of their revenues in the city’s trade area.
If adopted, the gambling tax would be decreased to 1% and expenditures within
the city’s trade area
to 50%.
In his report, city administrator Timothy Ibisch said after reviewing the pending reports and time used to process them, he recommended the council reduce the fee from 3% down to 1% of the gross. Council should continue to retain 10% of net for the children’s park equipment fund.
He had no objection to allowing some revenues to be spent outside of the KM service area, which some groups have requested.
Other
business
The council decided against allowing Kasson’s post-prom to be held at the fire hall, citing safety and occupancy number concerns.
Firefighter Levi Roline was promoted to the position of Administrative Lieutenant.