City council adopts budget, awards bids

By Shelia Tomkins

At their first meeting of the month on Monday, March 1, Guttenberg city council members approved budgets for the coming year and reviewed bids for docks at the new south marina.

Mayor Gerald "Red" Block, councilmen Steve Friedlein, Rex Svoboda, Howard Hubbell, Ralph Livingston and John Hess, and City Manager Barry Dykhuizen were at the council table.

A larger-than-usual crowd was on hand at the meeting, many apparently awaiting word on the hiring of a police chief. The topic did not appear on the meeting agenda, nor was there any discussion on the matter.

Budgets adopted

No public comments were received on the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2010-2011.  Councilman Ralph Livingston noted, "We did a lot of work....we didn't raise property taxes" - a statement that was greeted by applause from the audience.

Kim Gau, CEO, Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, gave a brief summary of the hospital's budget for the coming year. The council unanimously approved both the city and hospital budgets. (See city budget story in this issue). See complete story in this week's issue

An overview of city budget

By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council, at its regular monthly meeting on March 1, adopted the budget for fiscal year 2010-2011, the culmination of several months of budget scrutiny and numbers crunching by city officials.

The new tax levy rate for Guttenberg property owners will be $15.09380 per $1000 of valuation. This is a minute reduction from the current levy of $15.09498.

The city and other governmental units operate on a budget that ends June 30 of each year. Planning the budget for the 2010-2011 year begins well in advance of that day.

City Manager Barry Dykhuizen and department heads complete worksheets that estimate revenue and expenses for the coming year. The mayor, city council and city manager review those projections at a series of meetings. As the council comes to a consensus on budget numbers, the proposed budget is published and a public hearing is held. This year's proposed budget appeared in the Feb. 14 issue of The Guttenberg Press. At the March 1 council meeting, the council adopted the budget. The city then submits it to the County Auditor by March 15. See complete story in this week's issue

Travis Geuder guides the computers

and their use at Clayton Ridge Middle School

By Ellen Johnson

An important link in the technology chain at Clayton Ridge Community School is Travis Geuder. Although he is employed by Keystone Area Education Agency in Elkader as a technology support specialist, he spends two half days a week at the middle school. He works with the technology staff there, keeping the computer network running and troubleshooting when there are problems. Travis is also willing to help the teachers with questions and equipment. He serves Starmont and Postville schools in the same capacity.  See complete story in this week's issue

New Guttenberg postal employee is

signed, sealed and delivered

By Ellen Johnson

Whether needing stamps, mailing letters or picking up a package, (James) Tylor Boeke is ready to assist. He is the newest clerk at the Guttenberg Post Office. Northeast Iowa living is not new to Tylor. Although he spent five years of his childhood in Des Moines, he was born in Waterloo and spent the majority of his youth in McGregor. After graduating from high school, Tylor joined the Navy and served for four years. See complete story in this week's issue