SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously adopted the final 2024 budget with a 3.12% tax hike Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Councilor Nate Stevermer, seconded by Gary Windschitl to set the 2024 budget levy at $1,694,257, $51,247 greater than last year. The final 2024 budget of $4,472,450 is $117,010 less than last year.

Mayor Wayne Pelzel said he received a $100,000 donation offer from a man to be used for indoor pickle ball courts. A pickle ball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 22×44 feet. In pickle ball, the same court is used for singles and doubles play.

The game combines the volleys of tennis with oversized table tennis paddles, a badminton-size court, and a perforated plastic ball.

“I hear of daycare facilities needs. Why not establish a committee to look at a daycare and the pickle ball donation for a facility that may not be limited to those things,” said Pelzel.

Several councilors agreed. Mayor Pelzel agreed to establish a facility committee.

Councilor Christina Andres said Lake Crystal has a recreation/daycare center.

“We have a chance to entire people to move back here and provide for them,” said Councilor Scott Krzmarzick.

The City Council approved using $150,000 Minnesota Public Safety grant to be received by the City of Sleepy Eye this month to buy a $49,911 compressor to charge fire department air packs and $39,602 to buy an X Series monitor-defibrillator for Sleepy Eye Ambulance Service, motion by Andres, second by Stevermer.

Approval of 3% 2024 city employee raises came on a motion by Andres, seconded by Doug Pelzel.

Mayor’s appointments of George Schwint for the Sleepy Eye Planning & Zoning Commission and Mark Kober to the Public Utilities Commission were unanimously approved, motion by Pelzel, seconded by Krzmarzick.