Luverne to seek AG opinion, plans Veterans Day ceremony

Published 5:10 pm Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Luverne City Council voted to seek the opinion of the Attorney General at Monday night’s meeting.

Recently, the city of Luverne has undergone an audit, and Mayor Joe Rex Sport said that although he discussed the city’s relationship with Luverne Rescue with the supervising auditor, he would like to get an opinion from the AG.

Luverne Rescue is incorporated as an independent organization, but it receives a subsidy from the city.

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Sport said the city also owns the building Luverne Rescue operates out of, and the ambulances.

“The auditors were here last week, and I discussed that with the supervising auditor,” Sport said. “Linda Turner brought the books [from Luverne Rescue] up here.”

Sport said that according to the auditor, since the city owns the building and ambulances, the money being spent is like paying personnel, even though Luverne Rescue is a separate body.

“He said he didn’t see a problem there, but I want to get an opinion in case we want to pursue it further,” he said.

The council approved a resolution requesting an opinion from the Attorney General about whether or not a contract can be negotiated or if it would need to be bid.

In other business, Sport also reported on plans for a Veterans Day ceremony at the veterans’ park in Luverne.

The event is scheduled for Nov. 11 at 10 a.m.

One of the highlights of the ceremony will be the dedication of a cannon that has been restored.

“I’ve talked to Tommy Odom and he’s got the cannon completed,” Sport said. “We’re planning to move it in about the first week in November.  It ought to be an interesting piece for people passing through.”

The Rotary Club’s fountain that stood at the park has been moved and is currently in storage.

The plan is to remove the concrete slab the fountain stood on and put down sod.