Cornell City Council; Shared revenues are down over the last decade

By Ginna Young

About 60 percent of the City of Cornell’s General Fund revenue comes from the state, with the Strong Shared Revenue Fund. As city administrator Dave DeJongh pointed out at a regular Cornell City Council meeting June 3, the city relies heavily on the fund.

“We have not fared so well in recent budgets, as far as increases in that revenue flow,” said DeJongh.

With less increases and expenses always rising, that means the city has had to downsize in a number of areas over the last 10 or 15 years. To help convince the Legislature to look at the program and “bump up” revenue, the council passed Resolution 21-3.

DeJongh says the resolution may bring awareness to the need for revenue increases, to help the city keep its head above water.

Spending a piece of revenue on a much-needed piece of equipment, council member Terry Smith let the others know that a decision was made at a City Works Committee meeting June 1. A jet vac truck is needed to flush out the sewer system and because utility/city works superintendent Derek Braun found one from Altoona, those present at the June 1 meeting, gave Braun permission to bid on the truck.

The committee set the bid at $52,500, but were awarded the winning bid of $45,000.

During the meeting, council member and local ATV club president Bill Kvapil asked if it was alright to hold a parade through town for the ATV rally that is set for Aug. 28. Members agreed there isn’t a problem, as long as the club makes the police department aware they need to have someone available to lead the parade.

Signs are available for use if the club needs it, informing people of the passing parade.

“If we get a large response, we move on from there,” said Kvapil.

DeJongh also reported on how things are going, with Cornell as an Ice Age Trail Community. Last year, marked the beginning of the city recognized with that title.

“I think the timing with that could not have been any better,” said DeJongh.

With the onset of COVID-19, last summer, everyone wanted to spend more time outdoors and the trail saw a record number of individuals hiking portions of the scenic paths, one of which runs right through Cornell.

“I think it was money well spent becoming a trail community,” said DeJongh.