Ellsworth City Administrator Russell “Rusty” Varnado gave a preview of the proposed 2021 city budget Monday during a meeting of the Ellsworth City Council.

During a budget workshop, Varnado reviewed each department’s plans, including several items that have been combined.

Varnado plans to ask the city council for $10,138,950 in budget authority for 2021. Last year, $9,785,900 was requested — an increase of $353,050.

Varnado said the higher number is a result of 2017 temp notes being refinanced as 2020 bonds. The city’s property and casualty and health insurance also all increased.

Varnado and Patti Booher, city clerk, will now reevaluate the 2021 mill levy and have finalized figures available to the council at the Aug. 10 meeting. It is then Varnado will know whether taxes for property owners in Ellsworth will be going up in 2021.

The budget will be printed in the I-R Aug. 12 with the public hearing set for Monday, Aug. 24.

In other business:

• Varnado requested the council consider adding a $3 monthly storm water fee to every utility bill to pay for curb and guttering work. That would add $40,000 per year to the city’s coffers. No action was taken. Varnado said he expects the council to act later in the year since the measure would not go into effect until 2021. “This is something

“This is something everyone would stand to benefit from,” Mayor Mark Kennedy said.

• Ellsworth resident Patricia Evans addressed the council about a $1,300 water bill she received for three months of usage. “I can no way pay that,”

“I can no way pay that,” Evans said. “I don’t know what to do.”

Evans said she had a plumber inspect her home and property for a leak and none could be found. However, Joe Travnichek, city water and sewer superintendent, said he did the same thing and found there is a leak somewhere between Evan’s home and the water meter.

Evans said she forgot to make her water bill payment on July 6. Her water was turned off July 13 by the city.

Kennedy said he was on the council when a similar situation occurred with Evans five years ago. Then the city worked with Evans on her payments.

“I’m sorry you forgot,” Kennedy said.

“We’ll work with you. We want to make sure at some point you get caught up on this.”

Kennedy said pursuant to the city’s ordinance, he thought the council has been flexible on this matter.

Kennedy said Evan’s water could be turned back on if she pays the $85 due from July and arrangements are made with Evan’s plumber and the city water department to look for and find the water leak. Evans made the July

Evans made the July payment.

“I don’t think the city should turn on the water until the leak is fixed,” Kennedy said.

The council waived the $50 fee to turn on the water to Evan’s home.

Evans was told her next payment of $85 is due Aug. 10. In other business:

In other business: • Varnado said the City

• Varnado said the City of Ellsworth will be allocated $63,000 in funding through the state’s SPARK program. The funds are part of the $1.2 million Ellsworth County received by the state. He said $7,000 is earmarked for COVID-19 related expenses such as hand sanitizer, a laptop computer and other essentials. Varnado said he is also

Varnado said he is also considering an access control system for the city buildings, purchasing two decontamination systems for city hall and the rec center, touchless water fountains and water bottle filling stations, additional space at city hall and a project involving the rec center.

• Approval was given to have Kennedy sign lease agreements with the two farmers who lease property that borders the Ellsworth Airport. The leases will be extended to 2027 and have several recommendations, including farm equipment not crossing the runway and no stacking of hay bales within 250 feet of the runway. The items are required by the Federal Aviation Administration as part of the city’s runway construction plan.

• Travnichek gave the council a heads up that 1,350 feet of water line under Eighth Street needs replaced.