Aberdeen's $84.7M budget for 2023 includes $1M for public works facility

The 2023 budget for the city of Aberdeen includes multiple items where funds are set aside for future projects.

The Aberdeen City Council met for a work session Monday to discuss the proposed city budget.

The city's total proposed budget is $84.7 million, which is up from the city's 2022 budget of $77.9 million, but City Manager Joe Gaa said the vast majority of that growth is from the expansion and renovation work planned at the city's Water Reclamation Plant.

In all, about $57 million in improvements are planned that will expand wastewater treatment capacity at the Water Reclamation Plant. The 2023 budget has about $7.5 million in improvements.

"Over the next couple years, the rest of the $50 million will be added," he said.

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$1M set aside for new public works facility

In addition to money set aside for future equipment purchases, one significant budget item is $1.1 million set aside for the eventual development of a new public works facility.

Of that amount, Gaa said, $1 million is for future construction of the facility and $100,000 is for the hiring of a consultant to begin plans on a facility design.

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"This is trying to save money for the project," he said noting a portion of that $1 million may also become a built-in contingency fund to absorb extra costs on other city projects.

"We may need to dip into that if projects come in higher than expected. It gives us a place within the sales tax to address shortages in projects," he said.

Future needs include fourth station for fire department

Funds are also set aside for the purchase of a new ambulance in 2024. The city budget has $100,000 set aside in the 2023 budget for the estimate $248,000 expense. Additional funds are set aside for the purchase of replacement equipment, like a new thermal imaging camera and an electronic chemistry set to help identify unknown liquids, powders or gasses, according to Fire Chief Joel Weig.

Gaa said a conversation the city also needs to have is increasing the number of firefighter/paramedics for Aberdeen Fire & Rescue and the evaluating sites for a fourth fire station. Gaa said the ideal response time for paramedics is 4 minutes.

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"But our city is growing and that comfort level is starting to grow at a level where it isn't where we want it to be," he said. 

Adding a fourth station also means additional staff. Right now, there's three rotating shifts, with 15 per shift. Specific numbers weren't shared as to additional staffing needs for a fourth station.

Current stations are at 1825 Eighth Ave. N.W.; 121 Second Ave. S.E. and 1005 S. Melgaard Rd.

Water plant expansion decision needed by 2026

In addition to expanding treatment capacity at the Water Reclamation Plant, city officials have also discussed the need for various improvements and an expansion at the Water Treatment Plant. While some of those improvements are being made, Gaa said, considering ongoing discussion about piping water from the Missouri River with WEB Water and BDM Rural Water may change those plans.

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The venture, called WINS, will cost an estimated $750 million to accomplish, which means major funding contributions are need to make it a reality, but moving forward with that could change the city's need for an expanded Water Treatment Plant.

The decision to expand or not expand doesn't have to happen now. But Gaa said it will be needed by 2026. 

Asked by the council if the city should start setting aside funds for WINS, Gaa said, it's too early in the conversation to start setting funds aside.

No budget decisions were made Monday. The budget will be considered at the first two meetings Sept. 6 and Sept. 19.