Walker Council passes 7.6 percent levy; approves 2024 budget

The Walker Council met for the last time this year on Dec. 4, where the final tax levy and budget was approved.

The 2024 tax levy was increased to $1,219,53, which is a 7.6 percent increase from 2023.

The city council also heard from a member of the Cass County Opioid Settlement Committee, the Walker Area Joint Fire Department chief and the Walker Area Food Shelf executive director.

Kathy Nevins shared the current and future impact of opioid settlement dollars that the county has received from the State. She said the committee is working through how best to utilize the more than $500,000 in settlement dollars that will impact lives of county residents.

"We need to know what you are seeing as the needs for the various municipalities. And I'm always thrilled when we have law enforcement and the fire department because you guys are often the first ones on scene when it comes to overdose calls and things like that," Nevins said. "A lot of the ideas that have come up are First Responder needs."

Councilor Gary Wilkening asked Nevins if money is available for the city to implement through the police force or for whatever that they can apply to the county for.

Nevins said, yes. "The city needs to give us an idea of what they are going to spend, and six months from now, tell us what you did; and [then] a year from now, tell us what you did."

Ideas floated by Nevins were Narcan vending machines, education handouts, supples and medical equipment.

Walker Area Joint Fire Department Chief Jon Stewart spoke next and requested a portion of the public safety funding that is about $40,000 be given to the fire department.

Later in the meeting during the discussion portion of the meeting, the council told Stewart this money was spoken for a couple months ago for the police department to purchase body cameras and upgrade equipment. That is money city residents don't have to fork out.

Councilor Jim Senenfelder thought the four area townships and Leech Lake Band, which are part of the joint fire department, match what the city gives. "I don't see that happening," he added.

Senenfelder also said there are funds in the Fire Department Fund that the fire department could request.

Wilkening said he was also open for the city to put its percentage with the other townships and Leech Lake Band to match it.

In the final presentation, Chad Trapier addressed the council on the growing need and the increase in funds needed to operate the Walker Area Food Self.

Trapier told the council that when he took over in late January the food shelf served just under 450 people that month and just over that in February. "Last month we served over 1,300 people. We're seeing a massive increase in a short period of time. More people are donating but they're donating less than before," he said. "People are driving outside our coverage area — from Cass Lake, Laporte, Hackensack and Akeley."

This year the food shelf extended its hours and days due to clients waiting for more than an hour to shop. To satisfy the growing demand, the food shelf is acquiring ore than 33,000 pounds of food each month. This has led to a significant increase in expenses and volunteer hours.

"I'm here asking for funds; additional revenue the city could give." Trapier said.

Every year the Walker Council, at the bequest of the food shelf, donates $1,000. Trapier asked the council if they could do more, adding that food shelf costs have grown each month to between $8,000 and $10,000.

City Administrator Hope Fairchild said the city recently received a letter asking for the donation, but was going to leave that up to the council as to what amount that should be.

The council passed a motion to give the food shelf $2,500.

In staff concerns, Fairchild told the council the city needs to hire a full time liquor store clerk and a full time school resource officer.

In other city business, the council:

Set the regular council meeting dates and alternate dates for 2024.

Accepted donation of $11,250 to the Walker Library Building project with $10,000 from Turtle Lake Township, $1,000 from Richard and Sharon Keister and $250 from Harlan Anderson.

Approved the liquor license renewals for 2024.

Approved the Minnesota application for exempt permit for lawful gambling by Walker American Legion.

Approved staff completing the transfer of franchise fees from Paul Bunyan Natural Gas and Arvig to the Street Capital Project Fund 500 without having to bring the request to the council.

Accepted gambling funds of $1,000 from Hackensack Lions Club for the Dale and Harriet Jones Walker Public Library construction.

Approved the increase of life insurance for each city employee from $10,000 to $25,000 at a cost of $107.99 per year.

Approved Police Department Union agreement from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2026.

Approved Police Chief Peter Anderley switching from Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance to Police Union health insurance.

Approved 2024 wage increases for city staff.

Approved $1 wage increase for Public Works employee Dan Salitros for receiving his Class D water license.

Approved 3 percent wage increase for Public Works Director Dan Martin for successfully completion of his six-month probationary period as of Dec. 19.

Approved paying $19,921.07 for library building permit fees.

Approved application for BassMaster's Open Fishing Tournament in the lower city park Aug. 21-25.

Announced DMV and Walker Bay Spirits will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, with the latter closing at 4 p.m. Dec. 24.