Discussion of the city budget continues--even after it has been approved

The Decorah City Council approved a 2010-2011 city budget at its last meeting. But on Monday night Decorah resident Brian Cook--who spoke out against the budget two weeks ago--returned to the city council meeting to again complain "I didn't see any cutting being done." Cook told city council members "there are some things the city needs to take a long look at."

However, Mayor Don Arendt said, "It isn't that we're big spender." And City Administrator Jerry Fruend told Cook the tax levy for debt service has gone down, as has the cost of liability insurance, while the general fund levy has stayed the same.

City council member Rachel Vagts said the cost of maintaining roads "just pinches everything." But most of the attention has centered on a large hike in health insurance costs for the city. City council members have promised to look at that issue before the next union contract is signed.