The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday in regular session.

During open forum, Larry Joy asked for an update on the drainage issue at his home that is north of the Greene County Fairgrounds. City Administrator Scott Peterson said a contractor is in town doing maintenance work on the sanitary sewer mains and will eventually get to storm sewer near the fairgrounds. 

Russ Gettler then addressed the Council in open forum. He had concerns about the high property taxes and said the top reasons why people move to a new community include good police and street departments, and a good hospital. He said that over ten years, the city’s population has dropped six percent, but property taxes increased by 71 percent. He stated that the Council is elected to be good stewards of property taxes.

Finally, Cindy Wise talked about tax increment financing and said that it does not show a net gain for a community and thought it was not a good financial tool to use.

Then, the Council voted to table two resolutions that would’ve authorized an internal advancement for funding for the Urban Renewal Projects in the Urban Renewal Area and the 2025 Redevelopment Projects, based on the advice from legal counsel. The Council did approve to replace air conditioning units for the Greene County Community Center. Jefferson Parks and Recreation Department Director Nathan Kral said the lowest bidder was Moeller Furnace Company for $79,467 with payment to come from the HESS Fund and the PACE Fund. The vote was 4-0 with Council member Chad Sloan abstaining.

The Council also approved a resolution for two utility easements for Alliant Energy, one being at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the other at Daubendiek Park for the new restroom. Next, they approved the quarterly funding request for Greene County Development Corporation, by a 4-1 vote, with Sloan as the lone “no” vote.