Hurley City Council reviews 2023 audit

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Bessemer — In a special meeting on Tuesday, members of the Hurley City Council reviewed an audit for the year ending 2023.

The report was issued by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, known as CLA and based in Minneapolis.

Mayor Joanne Bruneau said after the meeting that she is not sure when the council will approve it.

The report noted that the city had $2.2 million in revenues, which was $90,000 beyond budget predictions.

However, the city also had $2.7 million in expenses, which was over budget by $246,000 due to capital outlays associated with street work.

City Clerk Stacey Wiercinski said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency since has paid $114,000 to the city toward street work expenses that totaled $164,000.

In addition, she said that the city also received approximately $15,000 in reimbursements for damaged goods relating to the project.

CLA also recommends that the city raise sewer rates, with percentage suggestions ranging anywhere from 5% to 25%.

The company said the city needs to position itself to cover both its operating expenses and its debt.

Wiercinski said a water rate hike already is expected to take effect this year.

The council’s next regular meeting will be on June 11 at 5 p.m. in the Hurley City Hall.