Council continues tax breaks for businesses
City changes official city newspaper, sells property for liquor store
Staff writer
Hillsboro City Council reviewed current tax abatements Feb. 21 for Golden Heritage Foods, Inc., Countryside Feed, Inc., and Container Services, Inc.
"Everything meets the abatement policy," said council member Shelby Dirks.
Darrell Driggers of Container Services, Inc., asked if the council was aware of how current legislation regarding new business equipment would affect the abatement process in the future. City administrator Steve Garrett told Driggers he interpreted the legislation to mean the new law would supersede the whole abatement process.
Jim Elliott, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce president, reported Hillsboro Management Board activity.
He said Hillsboro Development Corporation was working with a prospective business that was interested in coming to Hillsboro. Hillsboro Ventures, Inc., the business incubator, was involved in applying for grant funding.
Elliott said the chamber's business promotions committee will sponsor a St. Patrick's Day event called "It's Your Lucky Day," and encouraged the council to participate.
He also reported Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair applications will be sent out this week; Marion County Fair Association is planning the county fair for Aug. 9-12; and there is discussion about a Hillsboro presence at the Kansas State Fair.
Finally, Elliott reported a resignation from the Hillsboro Convention and Visitor's Bureau and said there were concerns for the future of the entity.
After his report, council member Len Coryea asked if Elliott had information on the proposed tax increase Senator Dahl mentioned Feb. 18 at the Legislative Coffee. Elliott had no further information about the possible increase.
The council designated the Hillsboro Star-Journal as the city's official newspaper. Garrett said the Star-Journal is the only newspaper that fills the legal requirements for an official city paper.
The council approved annexation of property owned by Tabor College and located east of Reimer Field.
Ordinance numbers 1122 and 1123 were approved. The ordinances revised zoning from heavy industrial to limited commercial on property located on the northeast corner of the intersection of 3rd and Ash streets and added the use of property located in highway commercial zones to be used for package liquor stores.
The council was presented with change orders for the Hillsboro Aquatic Center from Burbach Aquatics, which were tabled until the council was given more information.
Dalke presented the board with a request for sale of a lot in Hillsboro Heights east of Vogt's Hometown Market. The property will be one and a quarter acre and will sell for $25,200. It is being purchased by the owners of D&J Liquor Store in Marion. Dalke said the closing for the property would be on or before May 1, but she looked for the property to actually close much sooner so that they could begin construction. She said the sale was contingent on licensing.
Garrett proposed a cost of living allowance (COLA) increase for all city employees. The COLA would be equivalent to .25 per hour.
"I would even like to suggest that it be made retroactive to the first of the year," said Dalke.
The council approved the COLA increase, retroactive to Jan. 1.
Following the city administrator's report, the council was addressed by a concerned citizen asking when the city would be concentrating on repairs to the rest of Adams Street, "not just the area by Tabor College."
Dalke said the project was going to be done in stages. As funding becomes available to make repairs either through grants or loans, the city will improve the rest of the street.
The next city council meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday at the city building.
