An Ordinance establishing fees for administrative services provided by the city of Marshall was discussed during the council meeting this week.

The ordinance reads: “The city clerk shall quarterly collect and pay into the general fund of the city of Marshall one-half of one percent of the gross-revenue collections of the city’s Board of Public Works (MMU), the Marshall Tourism Commission, the city’s Park Board and the city’s Band Commission, as reimbursement for administrative services and costs provided by the city.”

Ward 2 Councilman Kirk Arends explained the reasoning.

Mayor Julie Schwetz pointed out it streamlines the numbers.

Marshall Municipal Utilities’ General Manager Jeff Bergstrom said this is really the first time MMU has had a chance to address the proposed fees. He asked what services will MMU receive for the $130,000? Arends answered…

Bergstrom said he is not arguing that MMU is not part of the city.

Arends said the city needs to hire the best and brightest to help move it forward.

Mayor Schwetz further explained.

The council voted to approve the first reading of the ordinance by a 6-2 margin. It will have to be approved again at a future meeting before going into effect.