The Jefferson City Council met last night.
The Council approved a 24-month, $300,000 loan from Region XII Council of Governments for the development of two houses. They also approved hiring Marty Murphy as Water Service Operator at Grade III and Michael Silbaugh as Water Service Operator at Step I pay scales.
The Council approved the third reading to change an ordinance for delinquent water service accounts and allowing the police department to purchase a 2014 Utility Interceptor for $32,000 with additional equipment upgrades for new vehicle body style.
The Council also approved waiving a $56,475 building permit fee for the Greene County Medical Center’s $22.5 million building expansion project. Councilman Gary Von Ahsen said it’s the Council’s way to showing its financial contribution to a project like that.
The Council approved a $2,000 rebate to Warner Quirk for the cost of demolition of a house at 406 North Locust Street.
Greene County Economic Development Director Ken Paxton spoke to the Council about Greene County Development Corporation’s quarterly update and requested its usual $11,000 funding request, which the Council approved.
During the budget workshop, several discussions were had. It was decided that over the course of the next two years, starting with the 2015-16 budget, that the City would phase out its cable television franchise fees by 50% per year for two years. The City’s levy rate is going to go up $.07 for the general fund with every penny equaling to $1,100.
There was discussion about a lifeguard position getting cut at the Jefferson Municipal Pool. However, Mayor Pro Tem Shannon Black advised against cutting a position because she didn’t want to see the City trading safety for saving money. So instead, the City will ask the pool staff to reschedule its lifeguards and stagger them so they still have a full staff without having to cut any positions.
City Clerk Diane Kennedy said that with the current proposed 2014-15 budget, the ending fund balance would be $400,000.
The public hearing for adoption of the budget is set for Tuesday, March 11th at 5:30pm.