By Deborah Banish

The Rutland City Council met on Monday, August 5, at City Hall with the 2020 budget the primary topic of discussion. Last year, the City levied 95.84 mills for the budget. As a Home Rule City, Rutland is not subject to the 105-mill maximum but the Council recognizes that it has levied larger than desired increases in recent years.  The Council discussed the need for street repairs and sidewalk replacement near the Senior Center and Post Office. The City attempted to obtain grant funding in prior years for the sidewalk project but was never awarded funding. The Council is determined to repair the sidewalk in 2020 and allocated funds in the 2020 budget for that purpose. In other business, the Council was informed that the Emergency Lagoon project preconstruction conference (public meeting) is scheduled for August 14th at 1 pm at City Hall. The Contractor has signed the contracts, which are being reviewed by the Engineer, and, after review, the contracts will be sent to the city for signature. The City’s Community Development Block Grant request for additional funds is ongoing and the ND Department of Health Office is working on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and bond for the project. The City’s radar speed signs have been delivered and will be installed with one on the North and the other at the South end of town on County Road 10. The Council held the first reading of the proposed Health Ordinance, addressing abandoned housing, burning in the City and other items. The City Council scheduled the public hearing on the budget for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9. The final budget will be approved at the October 7^th Council meeting.

Rutland Junk Fest and Ribfest was held last Saturday, August 3, along with the American Legion Auxiliary Pie and Ice Cream Social. Unfortunately, there was a low turnout in vendors as well as attendees this year which may have been due to events in Britton and Forman or simply the great weather that got people out of town before starting to plan for the return to school in a few weeks. It’s that time of year again kids.

The Rutland Community Club will meet on Monday, August 12^th at 7 p.m. in City Hall. Planning for Uffda Day and lefse production will be the primary focus of the meeting. Watch for a schedule of days and times when help will be needed for making lefse and other preparation for the big day. The parade information and sign-up sheet and the vendor registration form are both available on the City’s website at www.rutlandnd.com in the Visitors section on Uffda Day.

That’s it for news from Rutland for this week. If you have any events or news you wish to share for next week or on the Rutland website, please send the information to rutlandnd@drtel.net or drop a note at City Hall.