Kennedy approves moving fire retirement plan to PERA

By Margie Holmgren
The Kennedy City Council approved a resolution Monday, June 10 for the Kennedy Fire Department Relief Association to join the statewide firefighter retirement plan through PERA.
The council looked over the cost analysis report provided by PERA, which showed the level of risk to the city at different retirement amounts per year of service.
City Clerk/Treasurer Melissa Woinarowicz stated she spoke to a representative from PERA who told her the city does not want to go below 120 percent funding ratio.
The report showed a ratio of 176 percent for the $800 benefit level per year of service and 130 percent for the $1,100 benefit level.
“Any one of those numbers, the city should be safe,” she stated.
Ethan Paulson, fire relief secretary, informed the council the relief association had met and approved the $1,100 benefit level.
The current retirement plan level was $350 per year for vested members.
The council all questioned what happens if the amount goes below what is needed in the fund.
This amount is calculated by the number of members in the fire department plus their years of service at the selected benefit amount.
Woinarowicz stated the city is liable for that difference.
Councilor Jody Bowman expressed her concern, “I’d like to play it a little safe, I’d lean towards the $1,000 and then get another cost analysis next year.”
“As long as we can review it,” added Councilor Jon Turn, “I don’t have a problem with that. I think the ultimate goal is to maximize their retirement.”
“We can always go up, commented Bowman, “we don’t want to go backwards.”
“You do a good job,” commented Turn about the fire department but for the city, “We need to be fiscally responsible.”
The council unanimously approved the resolution to join the statewide plan at the $1,000 level and would like to reassess it for next year.
Great Plains Energy
Great Plains Energy representative Troy Olson attended the meeting and presented a proposal to the council regarding solar panels.
Olson told the council the city would save about 20 percent on their energy costs. The panels are paid off over 25 years and once they are paid off the city would receive a savings of 80 percent.
The councilors had questions regarding installation, maintenance, etc., but were willing to entertain the idea as a cost savings to the city.
Woinarowicz will talk with Olson and get more details about the project.
At this time no cities have entertained making the switch, but Olson stated he has one school looking at the project.
In other business, the council:
• Approved waiving the $500 rental fee starting in 2025 to the fire department for the use of the school shop for truck storage.
• Approved putting an outstanding bill for $200 on BNSF Railway’s property taxes.
• Approved paying for either Jon Pietruszewski, part-time maintenance worker or Earl Mattson, mayor to get their license for spraying for mosquitoes.
• Approved a quote from RJ Zavoral & Sons, Inc. for $36,850 for some street and sidewalk repairs.
• Approved a resolution to put the question of allowing Sunday Liquor on the November 2024 election ballot.
• Discussed a quote from Rigg Electric to move the score board at the baseball field. The quote was estimated at $7,500. The city will discuss how to get funding for this project at future meetings.
• Approved liquor license for the VFW to sell off sale at the Kennedy Softball field on Friday, July 12 and outside on Saturday, July 13 in conjunction with Celebrate Kennedy festivities.
The council adjourned and will meet for their regular council meeting one week later in July due to the Fourth of July holiday. The council approved the change to meet on Monday, July 15 at 7 p.m.