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| Serving Callaway County communities since 1875. | www.fultonsun.com | Saturday, July 04, 2009 |
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Fulton council to discuss budget, building permits By KATHERINE CUMMINS The Fulton Sun
When Fulton Director of Administration Bill Johnson presented the city's 2008 budget at the Oct. 23 city council meeting, Ward IV representative Steve Moore asked about the possibility of building in a larger raise for city employees. Moore said he believed the city could do better than the 2 1/2 percent increase included in the original budget. He asked Johnson if the city could handle a more generous pay raise. In the amended budget scheduled for discussion at Tuesday's meeting, Johnson has granted that request. “We have determined that is possible - we're looking at 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 percent,” Johnson said. “It is up to the council what they want to do.” With that adjustment, the city administrator said he is confident the council will approve the new budget. “I anticipate it to be advanced for a final read,” he said. According to Johnson, the city's current fees “are far cheaper than other places.” “A lot of towns now have the view that permit fees should cover the cost of code enforcement and inspection,” he said. “We wouldn't go that far, but we are definitely far less than other communities in the area and communities of a similar size.” Also on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting is second reading of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for the Second Street Bridge replacement project. “Probably a year ago, Sen. (Kit) Bond managed to secure a little over $850,000 for the city of Fulton to assist in replacement of the Second Street Bridge over (Highway) 54,” Johnson said. “We've selected an engineering firm, and we're working with the engineering firm to come up with a scope of services that will be necessary for this project.” He said the city also met with the Missouri Department of Transportation recently “to discuss their simultaneous reconstruction of the Business 54 Bridge just south of Second Street.” According to Johnson, construction plans for both projects call for four lanes - right and left turn lanes, a through lane and an approach lane - as well as sidewalks. “I would believe that in 2009 both of those bridges would be taken out of service the same time for a complete rebuild of that intersection,” he said. “During the time of construction it's going to be rather inconvenient, but there are going to be some real long-term benefits from this.” Another item up for discussion is a resolution amending the city's power sales contract with Sikeston. “For our NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions - because we were a partial owner of the plant - we also get credit for four-percent of the NOx credits issued,” Johnson said. “Now it appears that new federal requirements will require that Sikeston own all of it. “We'll still get financial credit, we just won't be the owner anymore.” Also on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting: * Discussion of Fulton's contract with the Callaway County Emergency Operations Center for emergency dispatch services; * Approval of street closings for the 2007 Downtown Christmas Celebration and for the Fulton Jaycees Christmas Parade, both to be held Dec. 1; and * Approval of LaWanda Jackson Kemp to the Human Rights Commission. |
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