COOK- Cook City Council members met to review 2021 budget and levy projections on Thursday in advance of their truth-in-taxation meeting, and anticipated final approval, on Dec. 17.
An anticipated tax levy increase of five percent will generate an additional $21,202 to offset projected increases in expenses for the general and airport funds.
General fund expenses will increase by $10,763, about two percent, to $583,408, according to information presented by City Administrator Theresa Martinson. The largest share of the increase, $9,950, is in funds allocated to streets and alleys. Through minor adjustments across other categories, the 2021 budget will also allow for a 1.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment to employee wages.
Projected expenses for the airport, which are separate from the general fund, are $94,520, $8,230 more than expected revenues of $86,300.
The levy increase will cover the increases in both funds and create a positive budget balance of $2,209.

Airport maintenance
During the regular council meeting, members approved initiating a grant application process to obtain federal assistance to rebuild the taxi lane at the airport and to construct a 40 x 40-foot building adjacent to the maintenance garage for storing snow removal equipment.
The 950-foot strip is the oldest section of pavement at the airport, and Martinson said its condition has deteriorated to the point that it is beyond using crack sealing to maintain it. The maintenance building doesn’t have enough space to store the snow removal equipment and various attachments.
The total projected cost of the upgrades is $675,000, of which $607,500 would come from the federal government. An additional $33,750 would be covered by state aid, leaving the remaining $33,750 to be paid directly by the city.
In other business, the council:
• Approved resolutions to have a Community Development Block Grant wastewater treatment pond improvement proposal included in St. Louis County’s Consolidated Action Plan, and to authorize application to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for additional funding.
• Approved $23,300 for Walker, Giroux & Hahne, LLC of Virginia to conduct the 2020 financial audit.
• Approved the election of 2021 library board officers, including Eric Trip, Chair, Theresa Drift, Vice-Chair, and Lisa Bedi, Secretary.
Received library and ambulance reports.
• Approved the appointment of Jody Bixby as the council’s representative on the Cook Housing and Redevelopment Authority board.
• Increased the monthly rent for the apartment at the airport from $700 to $710.