Westphalia Aldermen last Tuesday, March 24, adopted a city budget with an estimated income of $226,893 and expenses of $216,798, which leaves the city operating with a surplus of $50,094 when depreciation of $40,000 is factored into the budget.

The sewer fund is still an area of concern for the mayor.

“The only area that needed a transfer of funds was the sewer fund,” Mayor Tammy Massman said. “That fund received an influx of funds of $5,000.”

Massman and City Clerk Kerry Bax added a line for accounting fees to the budget separating it from legal and professional services so that it is easier to track the fees.

The city is still searching for a new accounting firm.

“Once we get something concrete back for the other firm, we can make a selection,” Massman said. “Until then Kerry (Bax) and I will be overseeing submissions.”

The city is also waiting on a formal letter of final engagement and final invoicing from their current accounting firm, Burkhead & Associates, LLC.

*It was noted in a sewer update that there were only two loads of sludge hauled to Rolla last month. Rolla decided to limit how much outside sludge they were accepting due to the wet weather conditions. The two loads that were hauled emptied 60% of the digester tank.

Recent rains the previous Thursday did cause a high-water alarm to go off at the Hwy. 63 lift station. An area resident called when they heard the alarm going off. 

“That was attended to and everything was ok,” Massman reported.

The UV disinfecting units will be installed and activated so that they are up and running by April 1 as directed by the city’s permit.

* Massman noted that she is monitoring the information on the pandemic and receives updates from the county regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

* In financial news, aldermen approved expenses for the City Fund for $2,105.49 and $5,808.87 for the Sewer System.

* Westphalia had receipts for the last month as follows: City Receipts ($12,465.34), Sewer Receipts ($6,371.02), and Special Road District Receipts ($4,481.31).

* Account balances are as follows:  City Checking Account ($134,529.14), Sewer System Checking Account ($7,774.84), Special Road District Checking Account ($63,426.37) and the Special Road District Savings Account ($5,106.64).

* Balances for the city’s certificate of deposit are as follows: City CD ($434,383.86), Sewer System CD ($515,350.94) and Special Road District CD ($517,539.71).

* The next meeting is scheduled for April 28 at 6:30 p.m.