City is hit with another cost increase
Another financial blow to the city and its employees was announced at the Monday night meeting of the Peabody City Council.
The city's health care provider, Preferred Health, announced a 21 percent increase in premium costs.
Most of the employees were present to listen to the council discussion. Based on employee input, the council decided to remain with Preferred Health rather than seek another provider.
With a Feb. 1 deadline, council members agreed to hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the city building for the purpose of reviewing what the budget will bear for the health care package.
At that time, employees will be presented with options they may select within the Preferred Health plan.
In a step to bring the new sewer project closer to reality Rosemary Saunders of Reiss and Goodness Engineers addressed the council about the bond resolution for the project.
Saunders said all the paper work was completed and she had selected Gilmore and Bell of Wichita as bond council.
The bond resolution is an ordinance authorizing and providing for the construction of a main sewer line for the city of Peabody.
Saunders indicated this step will bring the city closer to letting bids and beginning construction on the new sewer.
In other business, the council:
— gave extensions to Marvin Schmidt, Wayland Carson, and Tom Moore to remove inoperable vehicles.
— heard that the preliminary application for a Heritage Trust grant for repairs on the city building and city shop will be ready by the Jan. 15 deadline.
— voted to hire Rick Burcky of FlorenceWeb Computers to develop and maintain a city web site.
— heard that the telephone poles precariously leaning in the right of way between Plum Street and the railroad tracks have been removed.
— heard that councilmen Tom Schmidt and Alan Yock are reviewing initial cost estimates of building a new concession stand/press box at the city park.
— appointed police chief Jeff Pohlman to a two-year term on the Marion County communications advisory board.
— appointed Mayor Randy Dallke as a voting delegate to the Kansas Rural Water Association.
— agreed to enforce the city ordinance requiring property owners to have a separate water meter for each home, business, or apartment.
Currently David Oursler has one meter serving both his home and business and the Peabody State Bank has one meter serving two apartments above Sharon's Korner Kitchen.
All of the water is metered and paid for, but the city requires each address to have its own meter. There will be no charge to either property owner for the upgrades.
— discussed year-end transfers and a process to make the city's accounts more understandable to the council.
City clerk Jeff Benbrook presented a one-page view of city finances that will help council members do a better job of tracking department budgets and funds in city accounts.
