Peabody mill levy climbs .. But not as high as projected
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Peabody City Council Monday night approved a 13 mill increase for Peabody property owners with approval of the 2008 budget. The mill levy will rise from 62 to 75 mills.
The city has struggled with a severe shortage in cash reserves this past year due to the costs associated with the mercury contamination found in the former sewer plant. Compliance with Environmental Protection Agency and Kansas Department of Health and Environment regulations resulted in thousands of dollars of expense to the city as it tried to divest itself of the contamination.
The mill levy had not been raised in 10 years which provided some relief to taxpayers, but did little to help provide a cushion for any crisis that might hit the city.
Among other things, unexpected expense to install a fiberglass liner at the city pool, depletion of the sewer replacement fund as the aging sewer infrastructure gives way, and a "new" lift station that failed to do its job almost immediately after completion of the sewer project all contributed to the current council finding itself struggling to rebuild its reserves while running the city.
Council members, city employees, and interested community members have attended several budget workshops in recent weeks to review city finance and search for ways to make the numbers work.
The motion to approve the budget for publication passed 4-1 with councilman Steve Rose opposed. Publication signals the community that the public hearing will take place Aug. 3 during the regularly scheduled council meeting.
In a related issue, the council reviewed sewer replacement figures from Middlecreek Inc. for replacement of collapsed sewers at 602 N. Maple and the 600 block between Plum and Locust. The repairs will come close to depleting the $45,000 balance in the sewer repair fund.
In other business, the council:
— heard from Pat Knust Henderson that she and her neighbors are against the city assessing property owners between Pine and Locust from Third to Eighth streets for sewer repairs. A major collapse in the system has occurred in this area and special assessment to adjoining property owners is one method of paying to replace the sewer. Mayor Ed Slocombe indicated special assessment was not likely to be the solution to the repair problem although no official action was taken on Henderson's request.
— approved the appointment of Sheri Lewis to Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission. Lewis will be the city of Peabody representative.
— heard a presentation by the Peabody Christmas Light committee about the history, funding, maintenance, and costs associated with the downtown Christmas lights.
— met with several residents about nuisance properties, reviewed progress, and explained to property owners what steps would be taken in the future. Council members also reviewed with public health and safety officer Tammy Whiteside, the complete list of nuisance properties and agreed notification should be sent to an additional five property owners.
— heard the city has had the deadline on the CDBG grant for the sewer project extended until Jan. 15, 2008, two and a half years beyond the scheduled completion of the project. The lab report from the last barrels of debris from the sewer plant indicated a clean bill of health for the area. Formal notification from Kansas Department of Health and Environment has not been received.
— Jeff Benbrook also noted the city is still waiting on a final meeting with project engineer Al Reiss before the city can sign off on the deficiencies on the city's "punch list." Benbrook was instructed to have Reiss attend the next council meeting.
— recalled its previous selection of "Toggle Teal" as the new color for the water tower after councilmen noted resistance from community members to the selection of an "algae green" color. After discussion a pale blue with dark blue letters was selected.
— approved the sale of general obligation bonds to fund the $95,000 painting and cleaning project on the water tower.
— approved a training workshop for police officer Travis Wilson and a free planning and zoning class for Benbrook.
— heard a security light has been installed at the back of the football press box at the park.
— tabled until the next meeting a decision on maintaining and upgrading emergency sirens. Councilman Tim Peterson will do some research on whether the city or Marion County Fourth Fire District is financially responsible for the siren.
— tabled also implementation of a memorial tree project for the park, pending additional information about initial maintenance responsibility.
— entered into an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. On return to open session the council instructed Benbrook to issue a formal verbal warning to municipal pool manager Sarahanne Unruh that her employment at the pool precludes leaving the job to work elsewhere while drawing wages from the city.
