WILSON — No public comments were given Monday during a special public hearing of the Wilson City Council on the 2023 budget. The council first approved Resolution 10-2022, giving notice the city intends to exceed its Revenue Neutral Rate of 76.199 with a RNR for 2023 of 79.291.

According to Wilson’s 2023 budget summary, the total tax the city levied for the 2022 budget was $292,677. For 2023, the total tax levied will be $304,556 — an increase of $11,879.

Susan Kriley, city clerk, said the increase is due to one word — inflation. She noted the cost of everything is going up, including fuel and equipment.

Kriley said fortunately, the proposed mill levy for 2023 went down from 85.772 in 2022 to 79.291.

Before that public hearing, the council conducted a public hearing concerning inoperable vehicles at 511 30th St. After hearing from the owner, the council approved an extension until Oct. 3, which is the next city council meeting. Council member Jeff Keith will then meet with the owner for an update.

In other business:

• During the regular city council meeting, Kristofer Ritchie said the list of violations cited on his property are vague.

“There’s no description of a vehicle, there’s no color, make or model,” he said. “So my first question is what are we allowed to have in our yard?”

Ritchie said according to the information provided by the city, he is not allowed to have cars, trailers, mowers or anything metal in his yard.

Mayor Mike Peschka asked Ritchie if he received photographs that were taken of the violations. Ritchie replied he did.

Peschka said Ritchie asked him earlier that morning to have someone from the city board of health to come explain the situation as it currently stands and what else needs to be done.

“I’m not getting results from the board of health,” Ritchie said. “I’ve done work and they have repeatedly lied to the council.”

Ritchie again asked for clarification from the council on what he is allowed to have in his yard.

Peschka gave a few examples, such as operable vehicles that do not violate an ordinance or do not effect health or safety.

Ritchie said Peschka’s answer was vague.

Peschka said on Sept. 14, the city will have the right to come in and clean up remaining violations.

“The board of health isn’t doing what it is supposed to be doing,” Ritchie said.

He again pressed Peschka on whether vehicles and trailers were allowed in his yard.

Peschka said operable vehicles can be in a yard as well as trailers that do not pose a health and safety hazard.

• Dan Erdman asked Peschka if the city holds itself responsible for obeying the same regulations as everyone else in town.

“Sure,” Peschka said. Erdman said he went to the last board of health meeting and found the handicapped entrance was locked.

“I think that’s something that should be addressed,” Erdman said.

“Your issues that you raised were addressed,” Peschka said.

Erdman said he was insulted when he tried to report violations to the city’s health department after the meeting and they wouldn’t let him address any of his concerns.

“It seems to me that somebody has talked to these people and said Dan is not a very friendly person, don’t talk to him,” Erdman said.

Peschka suggested Erdman email his concerns to the City of Wilson. If valid, they will be forwarded to the city board of health.

“I’d like to know why am I being singled out and picked on,” Erdman asked. “That I can’t address the health department. That I have to personally go through Susan.”

Peschka said the city board of health meetings are not open for public comment.

“I’d kind of like an apology or a resignation by the people if they are going to be like that,” Erdman said.

• During the board of health update, no action was taken on properties at 408 24th St. and 2115 Ave. C. However, the property at 2209 Ave. F was approved to be removed from the board of health violations list now that it is in compliance.

• Peschka said exemptions to Abandoned Building Ordinance 854 were granted to five owners of properties during a recent public hearing.

He asked whether changes should be made to the ordinance.

“Is it too vague,” Peschka said. “Do we need to take another look?”

Council member Darcy Hubka-Vopat said she agreed with the need to give it a second look.

Keith said the ordinance needs to be made a little more clear.

• Peschka said the city is looking at possible locations for the city burn pile due to work scheduled to be done on the Wilson Bridge sometime in 2023.

• The council briefly discussed the future use of the city power plant building. One possibility is to market the building so it could potentially be used for something other than storage.

Council member Chuck Crawford said he is working with Joe Soukup, city superintendent, to determine what equipment could be moved as well as what would need to be moved electrically if the building were sold.

Peschka emphasized that no decision has been made to sell the powerplant building and that this is something that is just being investigated.

• The council briefly discussed possible uses for $110,489 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding the city received from the federal government.

Peschka said improvements to the city’s water infrastructure definitely would fall under the perimeters of the funding.

• Peschka said the new police vehicle is now available to the city and it’s just a matter of getting the vehicle to Wilson.

• Approval was given to have JR’s Audio do the work of moving the equipment from the old patrol car to the new one.

• Soukup said crews will start chip and seal work in the northwest part of Wilson this week.

• Approval was given to allow part-time city crewman Cody Crawford to work up to 40 hours per pay period, but not to exceed that amount.

• Crawford said he talked with Dale Houston, Ellsworth County road and bridge superintendent, and Houston approved the traffic sign placement as recommended by the city. Kriley has applied for a grant to purchase a portable traffic speed sign.

• Approval was given to remove several Wilson firefighters from active and reserve lists. Removed from the active list were Tyler Denham, Nate Griffin, Brett Turner and Cordel Whitmer. Removed from the reserve list were Steve Ford, Ron Hubka and Tel Soukup.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at city hall.

“I’m not getting results from the board of health. I’ve done work and they have repeatedly lied to the council.”

Kristofer Ritchie

Wilson property owner