By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A Hillsboro couple won approval from the city council Tuesday to operate a vacation rental at 201 E. A St. for parents and friends to visit Tabor College.

Property owners Mona and Davy Hein told the city planning commission the property won’t be listed on vacation rental sites such as VRBO or Air BNB.

The duplex shares a back entrance and basement stairwell for both sides of the building, and the other side is occupied by a tenant.

When planning commission members discussed the conditional use permit Jan. 28, they decided the use of the building would not differ much from ordinary residential use, and recommended city council members pass an ordinance to allow the Heins to operate a vacation rental.

About 70% of Hillsboro electric customers will soon have new power meters through a partnership of the city and the Kansas Power Pool.

The city began replacing electric meters two years ago with “smart meters” that can be read remotely at the electric office. The meters are expensive, and over time about a third of them have been replaced.

Replacing the rest of the meters is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, city administrator Matt Stiles said.

The new meters will save the electrical department 850 man-hours a year, and will be financed through KPP and billed to the city through the power purchase contract.

The meters will cost $187,530, and will be billed at $1,800 or less a month.

The 850 man-hours a year now spent reading meters and processing bills, worth $21,600, will be spent doing other things.