Marion City Council approves proposed budget
Concerns continue regarding police department budget
Staff reporter
During a City of Marion budget hearing Monday, city resident Merle Brunner asked the council why the police department budget for 2007 had increased $200,000 from 10 years ago.
Brunner pointed out the county sheriff's budget was $400,000.
City administrator David Mayfield said $247,000 of $294,182 was personnel expenses.
He added that vehicle identification number inspections provided a revenue stream for the department.
The police department budget was $275,492 in 2005, and $287,705 in 2006.
Earl Mueller asked about budgeted transfers from the utility budget to other departments.
Mayfield explained various transfers were made to other departments. He added the city maintains three months of operating expenses in case of disaster. If the funds are not used, it becomes the beginning cash balance for the new budget year.
The council approved the budget 4-1 with councilman Stacey Collett opposed.
In other business:
— Fire chief Mike Regnier reported a quiet year until this past week when the fire department had eight runs.
It was noted that an older fire truck that recently was replaced has not been sold. The asking price is $3,500 but the city has only been offered a maximum of $1,750.
— Kaw Valley Engineering Services of Junction City was chosen as the engineer for various city street projects with a bid of $4,000-$6,000. Bids were received from Hett Construction of Marion for $35 per hour but no specific number of hours to complete; Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff, $5,000; Kirkham-Michael, not to exceed $14,000.
The engineering firm will provide cost estimates for the projects.
The council approved Kaw Valley with a vote of 4-1 with councilman Jerry Kline opposed.
— The council approved a proposal to obtain bids from local banks to consolidate city banking to one institution, an increase from $50 to $60 for court docket fees, the establishment of an account with the municipal investment pool, and an ordinance to allow the sale and discharge of fireworks to be on the same dates and times.
— Prior to warrants being approved, Collett asked why an original bid from Hett Construction for work on Denver Street was $4,000 more than the final bill. City officials responded it was because of handicapped accessible ramps.
Collett quoted an original bid of $14,000 and a final price of $18,566.
After the meeting, Mayfield clarified that the original bid was $17,840 and an additional $726 was paid for an extra 17-foot curb-cut for a handicapped ramp.
— Mayfield reported he will attend a customer advisory board meeting of Atmos Energy at Amarillo, Texas; he continues to work with Eagle Communications regarding a franchise agreement for cable television and broadband Internet; and working with Hillsboro City Administrator Steve Garrett in making recommendations for a county water quality board.
The next council meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Aug. 14 in the city building.
