Comment returns to meetings

Public comment returned to Peabody City Council meetings Monday as the body worked to make meetings more orderly.

Residents will have three minutes for general comments and may address individual new-business items after officials present them.

Randy Dalke took the first opportunity to ask to improve visibility at 2nd and Vine Sts., where parked vehicles obscure traffic.

Pandea Smith asked the city to publish which vacancies appointed council members filled and when their terms expire.

City attorney Tim Hodge advised council members to treat old business as ready for action and use new business to publicly discuss developing issues.

He cautioned against discussing city business outside meetings in ways that could violate the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

Council members approved applying for state aid to rebuild Walnut St. from 5th to 9th Sts. The project is estimated to cost $936,400, with Peabody offering to pay 30% and paying design and inspection costs.

Council members also agreed to pay Hillsboro employee Ayden Brammer $250 a week through December as Peabody’s certified water operator while city employees pursue certification.

City administrator Paul Leeker said a redesigned website tentatively would go online Thursday. Municipal accounting software will replace QuickBooks to provide more detailed financial reports.

A proposal allowing officer Charles Walker to take a police vehicle home to Newton for after-hours calls will be taken up later.

Council members unanimously adopted a 2027 budget retaining the city’s estimated 87.321-mill property-tax rate up from a revenue-neutral rate of 86.103.

Although the rate is unchanged, higher assessed valuation will generate approximately $7,000 more in property tax.