By Jean Doran Matua, Editor
The South Haven city council held their regular meeting Tuesday evening, Sept. 4.
The council approved setting up a Park Project Fund for funds budgeted and donated for park project.
Wright County Sheriff candidate Sean Deringer introduced himself and his background.
Fire chief Kenneth Laney reported very few calls in August, and none over Labor Day weekend. Emery Schmidt has retired after 20 years of service. Effective immediately, the South Haven Fire Department has taken over the controlled burning of the leaf/small branches disposal site located at the end of Grant Street; this site is for city residents only, and it is for leaves and small branches only.
The Rainbow playground equipment has been installed as has pea-rock around it. The council looks to plant grass where the slide used to be, and will check cost of toddler-age playground equipment.
All city water tests are good. Irrigation of waste water is completed for the season. The water tower has been flooded and flushed.
South Haven received a $37 increase in Local Government Aid (LGA) for a total of $35,500 for 2018. Because no Truth in Taxation meeting is necessary for cities with fewer than 500 residents, the council approved the preliminary budget as final property tax levy, collectible in 2019, at a 2.5-percent levy increase (or $3,258 over the previous year) for a final property tax levy of $133,567 with a 2019 general budget of $205,602.
The council agreed to not appoint someone to fill the current vacant seat on the council since the election is only two months off.
The next regular meeting of the South Haven city council will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2.