Something's Missing

As you travel down on County Road 4 from Breezy Point you might think something is missing.  You would be correct in that view as the old Edgewater Inn, or also known as Knoxies, is no longer standing.  This landmark stood for about 50 years and in its day was a very fine restaurant.  It saw its decline and eventually closed for business.  Many ideas surfaced about its subsequent use but none materialized. 

The building served some good purposes in the end.  It was stripped of anything that could be reused by Habitat for Humanity volunteers.  They took the air handling equipment out, some of the woodwork, electrical wire and boxes, and miscellaneous items.  Some of the more interesting items removed and sold included the wood walk-in cooler door and the phone booth.  They were very pleased to have the opportunity to reuse material that would have gone to waste. 

The building also provided a training ground for firemen in the area.  Training exercises were held the day of the burn and the building was set on fire and put out a few times before the final burn.  Fireman got to practice moving around in a smoky atmosphere in full gear without the immediate threats that would occur in other situations. 

Once the building was consumed materials were sorted and a good deal of steel was assembled for recycling.  Other materials were sent to Crow Wing County landfill.  The spoils are now gone but work remains.  Currently the site contains concrete and asphalt surfacing.  These materials will eventually be removed and recycled.  With those materials gone the intention would be to reseed the property and have green space until another use is determined.  

A great number of people were involved in all of this and thanks need to go out to all of them.  There are too many to list by name but the list starts with the owners who donated the property.  The volunteers from Habitat had their part.  The Pequot Lakes Fire department was the primary unit that accomplished the burn.  In addition firemen from Mission, Brainerd, Ideal, Crosslake and Nisswa Fire Departments participated in training.  Ideal Fire Department brought the Aerial Ladder Truck.  Fire, Inc. set up the training for the burn.  The DNR/PCA approved the permit.  The Breezy Point public works personnel assisted with the burn and removed the spoils.  Finally the Breezy Point City Council accepted the property and approved the razing of the building. 

One chapter closes while another one begins. 

The Second Lucas

I have written about the Lucas Chest Compression unit before.  This is a unit that is used to provide chest compressions, essentially an automatic CPR device.  The city had acquired a unit several years ago to assist one of the city’s paramedic officers.  It allows the paramedic to focus on other aspects of life saving techniques when dealing with a cardiac incident.   The machine takes over the chest compressions. 

Recently the city worked with donors to acquire another Lucas Chest Compression unit for the other paramedic on staff.  Donations were sought from various sources to purchase this second unit.  These units cost approximately $14,500.  Through generous donations of a number of donors the second Lucas unit has been purchased.  The city now has two paramedic officers with the Lucas Chest Compression units. 

Many thanks go out to those donors who participated in making this happen.  They include:

          Essentia Foundation                                $8,000

          Pleasureland RV Community Fund          $2,500

          Crow Wing Co-op Roundup                   $2,000

          Pelican Lakes Conservation Club            $2,000

The community now has additional resources in dealing cardiac emergencies. 

After Audit Review of Finances

Annually we conduct an audit of the city books.  With the 2014 audit we noted that the city was very close to budget, with few resources to be considered a surplus.  The outcome for the general fund recognized good budgeting, matching expenditures and revenues.  In all actuality we were fortunate as revenues exceeded budget by 7% but expenditures also exceeded budget by 7%.  With this the cash balance in the general fund remained somewhat consistent but dropped $316 from 2013 to 2014. 

Typically an after audit transfer is accomplished.  The city adopted a policy whereby if the general funds reserve is in excess of 45% of the following year’s budget, the difference would be transferred to an account that provides for future improvements.  After doing the calculation there were some minor resources in excess of the threshold.  That being said, with the budget experience in 2014, it was felt this transfer should not occur.  The result was no general fund dollars were set aside for future improvements.

We use the same philosophy when it comes to the sewer fund.  Sewer funds are managed using two funds; an operating fund and a sewer capital fund.  The operations of the sewer department are budgeted annually and at year end we look at balances in the operating fund.  If they exceed the 45% threshold for the following year’s budget, funds are transferred to the sewer capital fund.  This year there was a balance that could be moved, amounting to $78,706.  These funds were transferred and this improved the balance of the sewer capital fund by that amount.

We are fortunate that revenues kept pace with expenditures in the general fund in 2014 but we have come to a place in time where budgeting and fiscal constraint have met their match.  Over the past 5 years the levy for the general fund has been set at less than the levy that was set for 2010.  There have been two years with minor increases but the 2015 levy remains lower than the levy imposed in 2010.  Considering the big picture of ongoing finances the city will find it difficult to maintain this status quo going forward.

Sewer operations on the other hand have a great deal of variables.  These include the flow rates, weather, repairs and other factors.  When things go well we have the ability to generate funds that can be reserved for capital expenditures which was the case for fiscal year 2014.  Saving operating expenses is important in keeping sewer service rates low.  Having funds reserved for capital expenses in the long run keeps operation costs low by being able to finance improvements without incurring debt.  Having a healthy fund balance also gives some comfort for any emergency situation that may occur.