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Racer has the inside USE THAT PESTO WITH GUSTO track on diabetes FOOD, A9-10
STERLING, B1
dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, July 22, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ROCK FALLS | CITY COUNCIL
City sits on $4 million cushion
Council passes appropriations ordinance, and sewer and water rate increase for some BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – The council unanimously passed an appropriations ordinance Tuesday
that gave the city a nearly $4 million spending cushion. The budget that was passed April 7 came in at slightly less than $22.4 million, while the appropriations ordinance authorizes the city to spend $26,520,490. That doesn’t
necessarily mean the city will spend that much during the fiscal year that began May 1, and ends April 30, 2016. City Administrator Robbin Blackert, who does most of the budget work, said she believes it’s wise to provide some bud-
get flexibility through the spending ordinance. “We’ve always done about a $4 million cushion since I’ve been working on the budget,” Blackert said. She said it is especially important given where the city
ROCK FALLS
is with its riverfront development. “If another riverfront project presents itself, we could need that money for bonds,” Blackert said. CUSHION CONTINUED ON A2
WHITESIDE COUNTY
Keeping their ears peeled for a corn boil
Something special could go to waste Public input sought on landfill change BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521 @SeaWarren
David Chavira of Rock Falls, husks an ear of corn Tuesday at Poci’s Market for the Rock Falls Rotary Corn Boil.
Photos by Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Members from Sterling’s Boy Scout Troop 305 were among those who helped husk corn Tuesday for the Rock Falls Rotary Corn Boil. The corn boil will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Rock Falls Community Building, 601 W. 10th St. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. There will be barbecue or hot dogs, chips, beverage and all the corn you can eat. Tickets are available at the door, and drivethrough carryout service will be available. Go to rockfallsrotary.org for more information on the club.
STERLING – The Whiteside County landfill could start collecting a new, “special” type of waste. The county operates the only landfill in the state that doesn’t allow for the dumping of special waste, said Tom Ausman, chairman of the county’s landfill committee. So far, it has received legal approval to accept special waste, but is seeking input at two upcoming public hearings. The county’s landfill went through a similar process after the Prophetstown fire. “In Prophetstown, they had tons and tons of asbestos that needed to be brought some place,” Ausman said. So the landfill sought permission from the EPA and the state to make that possible. The landfill now is able to process asbestos from anyone. “We are getting it – not a lot, but we are getting it on a regular basis,” Ausman said. “It does require special handling by the people at the landfill.” So just what is special waste? Nothing toxic, Ausman is quick to make clear. “I myself didn’t know what the heck special waste was, and everyone thinks hazardous right away, but it’s not.” he said. One example of special waste he could give is “stuff that comes from an auto body shop.” “When they’ve sandblasted a car, and the paint that would be coming off, that would be special waste,” he said. “So, totally harmless, but there are still regulations that have to be in place. WASTE CONTINUED ON A4
The Whiteside County landfill has received the OK to start collecting waste designated as “special,” but before it takes it, it’s looking for the public’s input.
STERLING PARK DISTRICT
Budget sees red, but city sees black 2014 donation drives district’s deficit for 2015-16 fiscal year BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – When is being in the red more like breaking even? When a donation becomes an expense. That bit of accounting logic
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explains how the 2015-16 fiscal year budget for the Sterling Park District can come in with a deficit, but be considered a break-even budget by its director. The district approved its budget after a public hearing Monday. By law, the budget must be passed in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
INDEX
ABBY ................... A8 COMICS ...............B6 CROSSWORD....B11
The budget puts the park district in the red for the fiscal year that runs from May 1, 2015, through April 30, 2016. Estimated revenue came in at $7,178,365, while spending totaled $8,052,949, giving the park district a budget deficit of $874,584. BUDGET CONTINUED ON A5
FOOD ..............A9-10 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
SVM file photo
Today’s weather High 81. Low 61. More on A3.
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B7.
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