Despite a 4% increase in valuation and property tax request, Clearwater village’s tax rate will remain at 50 cents.

Board of Trustees members approved the budget and final tax request during a hearing held Monday at the fire hall.

The village will request $61,691.59 in property taxes. The village’s operating budget totals $6.955 million.

Valuation increased from just over $11,875,227 to $12,338,322.

While presenting budget information, accountant Regina Krebs said, “I’m still working on the sewer budget. Those are federal funds you can see coming in. I didn’t see any huge changes I would have budgeted from last year.”

Krebs said estimated expenditures put the village under the limitation and an audit waiver will be in order.

She spoke with the auditing firm and they are willing to complete the waiver. Krebs said she will work with Village Clerk Tina Snider to balance the books.

Village Chairman Steve Hankla questioned if federal officials were okay with the audit waiver being filed.

“There’s no federal funds that were expended this year,” Krebs, “Or not enough federal funds.”

The price tag for an audit is $10,000.

Board members approved the budget and tax asking, as published.

Trustees dealt with two personnel matters.

Snider submitted a letter of resignation, which was accepted with regrets.

Following the meeting, she told the Advocate-Messenger she will work with the village board to finalize the budget and throughout the hiring process.

Trustees also approved hiring Kate Ahlers for the maintenance position which opened after last month’s resignation of Kent Stallbaum.

Ahlers discussed several ongoing projects, including sign replacement and football field maintenance.

In other business, trustees:

• accepted a bid of $850 forsale of a dump truck and $100 for sale of a mower, from Mike Klabenes;

• approved a special liquor license for The Waterhole for a cornhole tournament;

• appointed Dave Timm to the CORE board; and

• okayed a building permit for Angie Fletcher, for addition of a fence.