SILVER LAKE — Silver Lake Council met Dec. 27 for their year end meeting.

The dominating topic of discussion was the overspending of $7,000 from the motor vehicle highway budget. It was concluded that the overspending was from payroll for overtime hours and paving done by the Street Department.

The council’s conversation took a turn to discuss the financial aspect of vehicle maintenance and repairs. Street and Sewer Department Superintendent JT Prater had previously approached Clerk-treasurer Tonya Conley about setting separate budgets to each department for vehicle maintenance.

“If vehicles need to be repaired and maintained, then they need it,” commented Council President Chad Miner. “It looks to me like we’re pretty reasonable in what’s being allocated.”

Conley reassured that MVH budget was over because of overtime pay and paving and had little to do with maintenance. With $25,000 budgeted, $38,000 was actually spent. After appropriations, $7,000 was still over budget. This is unusual for Silver Lake, which has never gone over its MVH budget.

“We’ve normally had at least $2,000-$3,0000 left,” stated Conley.

Miner insisted that the council talk to Prater and Water Superintendent Joey McNeal to figure out why so much overtime was needed.

The 2016 year end transfers resolution and 2016 end of year budget balances were approved by the council.

Other business:

• Town employees have received Google Chrome Books. Training will take place after the Jan. 11 meeting.
• Fire department by-laws were tabled until Jan. 11.
• Council approved the extension of Hall & Marose for 2017 liability insurance.
• 2017 meeting dates were approved for the second Wednesday of every month at the Town Meeting Hall.
• Calvin Bolt put together a proposal to go through and inspect Silver Lake schools for $1,295.
• Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter asked for permission to potentially bring on a second part-time officer, not to be designated at this time. Council approved.
• Claim docket: $81,744.73