The Holts Summit Board of Aldermen revisited the city budget and discussed multiple new items at their monthly meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Holts Summit Municipal Center.
The board covered new topics, including the formation of the Ad Hoc Public Safety Finance Committee, selecting a contractor for generator maintenance, and approving a change order. They also discussed updates on the Stormwater Improvement Plan and an issue with a backhoe.
In old business, the board revisited amended line items in the general, sewer and transportation funds for the city. The amended budget is approximately $19,680 less than the amount initially budgeted. Savings of slightly less than $103,000 came from the sewer and transportation funds. The general fund was expanded by more than $83,000 - which benefits police and administration expenses. The motion to approve the amended budget carried.
In new business, the board visited the release of two liens placed for unpaid sewer bills. The liens for properties located at 198 Margaret and 581 Williams streets were removed, with the motion to approve carrying.
The board also revisited the creation of an Ad Hoc Public Safety Finance Committee. The committee, which has been discussed in previous meetings and special sessions, would research options for implementing a public safety and law enforcement tax. The motion to form the committee carried.
The board also discussed options for maintenance of the backup generator in the storm shelter. The board motioned to replace Fabick, the current contractor responsible for maintaining the generator, with CK Power of Saint Louis. CK Power offers a locked-in price for three years, whereas Fabick only does a yearly agreement.
The board came to an agreement unanimously.
"That's just one less thing we have to worry about," Mayor Landon Oxley said in the meeting, before the board carried the motion to allow him to enter into a contract with CK Power.
The board also carried a motion to authorize change order on the Wastewater Improvement Project. The change order, which drops the project cost by almost $36,000 according to documentation in the meeting binder, consists of adding a concrete pad for a stand-by emergency pump among other items.
During discussion, the board talked about the sewer project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The first item for discussion was a request for funds totalling more than $25,000 - with more than $15,000 going to Ryan Construction and more than $10,000 going to All State Engineering. The motion to approve the payment was carried.
Also discussed was an update on the Stormwater Improvement Plan, backhoe issues potentially requiring emergency funding, and the installation of a diesel pump for the sewer system.
The motion to allow C and C Pump and Supply, of Bridgeton, to install the diesel pump instead of a more expensive backup generator to operate the existing electric pumps in the event of a power failure was carried.
After approving the city's financial status and payment of unpaid bills, the board adjourned into a closed session at 7:08 p.m.