The Village of Iola Board will soon address essential budgetary, infrastructure, and employee compensation matters at their upcoming Nov. 12 meeting. The board, scheduled to convene at the Iola Village Hall, will vote on various initiatives aimed at community enhancement, service sustainability, and fair employee compensation adjustments.
Water and garbage rate increases
A primary focus of the meeting will be a public hearing discussing proposed increases in water rates (NOTE: The Village of Iola did not qualify for the water rate increase, but the notice was posted prior to the PSC denial of rate increase. There will still be a public hearing. – Laura Krogwold, Cleark/Treasurer) and the administrative garbage fee. Village residents are expected to present their views, with some likely expressing concerns about rising living costs. However, the board will emphasize that these adjustments are necessary to cover increasing service costs and sustain infrastructure. Following this hearing, the board anticipates moving forward with an increase in the garbage administration fee from 5% to 7%, intended to secure ongoing funding for waste management without reducing service quality.
Approval of village budget and Employee Compensation Changes
In another key agenda item, the board will vote on the 2025 Village of Iola budget, which allocates funds for essential services, employee wage adjustments, and infrastructure improvements. Major aspects of this budget include:
- Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): To help village employees manage inflation, the board is set to approve a 3.2% cost-of-living wage increase. Board members are expected to support this measure to keep village wages fair and competitive amidst changing economic conditions.
- Employee Health Contributions: The board will also consider raising the required employee healthcare contribution from 25% to 28%, addressing the rising healthcare expenses impacting the village. Although this adjustment may spark debate, board members will likely underscore the need for this incremental increase to maintain the health plan’s financial sustainability.
- Deputy Clerk Wage Adjustment: The board intends to approve a $1.00 per hour raise for the Deputy Clerk, retroactive to Nov. 1, recognizing the role’s importance in maintaining efficient village operations.
Additional actions
The board will address other community-focused initiatives and administrative matters during the meeting:
- Community Development and Infrastructure Projects: Allocations from the Community Development Authority will fund two anticipated projects. Up to $4,000 will be directed toward a new “Welcome to Iola” sign, featuring local attractions like golfing and cross-country skiing. An additional $20,000 is expected to be dedicated to an Outdoor Recreational Plan, supporting efforts to expand recreational offerings within the village.
- Public Works Updates: The board will receive updates from the Public Works Committee, noting recent paving and shoulder repair completions on King Olav Drive. The construction of a new snowplow, ready before winter, will also be discussed, with plans for the old plow to go up for auction.
- Committee Reports and Upcoming Meetings: Various committees will provide updates, including the Library Committee, which is expected to present October circulation data, and the Protection of Persons and Property Committee, which is scheduled to share recent public safety statistics. The board has arranged its next working session for Nov. 26, with the regular board meeting set for Dec. 10.