The Butler City Council lowered the city tax rate for the coming year. The general fund tax was lower from point-six-two-three-five, to point five-nine-five-five, which is so small you'll hardly notice it. But to lower any tax in this day and time is a headline, so far as we're concerned. Say thanks to Mayor Don Malan and your City Councilman!
In Butler City Council news, the new Police Chief, Jerry Boyd, has already gotten into the swing of things by meeting with City Administrator Mark Arbuthnot and the Bates County Commissioners, concerning the proposed joint purchase of nine-one-one equipment for Butler and Bates county dispatch centers.
Sheriff Chad Anderson is contacting the equipment supplier to get an update on the city's share of the previous price quote, which was just over $76,000. Butler also needs to consider replacement of two radio transmitters, to cost around $15,000. They were budgeted for last year, but weren't purchased so the money could go toward the repairs at the police station.
The County has found that they will NOT be able to obtain a zero percent interest loan to finance the purchase of the nine-one-one equipment, and this brought on the suggestion of the city and the county trying for separateloan approvals.
Meanwhile, swimmers will be pleased to hear that the Butler Park and Recreation Commission has met and approved a request from Sonic to hold a community pool party. Also, the leak in the Lazy River section of the pool seems to be a job that our own City Water Department employees can handle.
The Planning Commission had a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the city's front yard parking regulations, and the parking space requirements for different types of uses. Those recommendations will be considered by the Council at a public hearing September 6th.
The Airport Commission has also been busy...the taxiway maintenance project that had been delayed, has been completed by Bishops Construction. A report is being done of a listing of all aircraft based at Butler Memorial, and a list of future airport projects is being completed. The Commission also discussed the use of the airport facilities by crop dusters and the regulations that they need to follow.
The engineering costs on Butler's river pump station bank stabilization job came in a lot higher than the original estimate of $2500. Allgeier Martin and Associations, along with the Palmerton and Parrish Company, now estimate the job to run just over $8,000. They say costs were higher because of additional design and evaluation work that had to be performed, and construction engineering oversight has to be provided to assure that the work is completed based on the final design as required by Osage Valley RC&D.
A local bid has finally come in for the work to be completed on the Police Station, once the mold has been removed and cleanup work finished. Billy McKinsie of here in Butler came in with a bid, and the Council will also take bids from outside Butler, and will choose from all available.
Work began August 17th to stop erosion at the river pump station that supplies water to Butler. That need had been reviewed and a grant approved for the work.
In other news, the McKinstry Company is still talking with Butler about how to reduce and improve electrical usage and operating costs.
One item is a proposal to install mixers at the basins of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and also includes the U-V Disinfection System that needs to be installed at the plant by 2013.
Part of this deal includes getting a low interest loan, as low as two percent for street lighting, and 2.5% for the wastewater treatment plant work.
And Public Works Director, Trent Diehl had an extensive report for the Council. The Electric Department has finished the construction phase of the Country Club project, but is still waiting for Century Link to bury phone lines which will let them finish dirt work and removing old transformers.
Their next job will be the electric service for the new Walmart.
The good news is that with cooler weather, the water plant generators are getting a bit of a rest...they ran for nine out of the past 14 days during the heat wave.
The report said the Water Department has finished construction of the water main project from Sunset Street to Discount liquor on 52 West. Service connections will be next. Also, Diehl said the Police Departments gutter lines and grading work is finished. However, work is still to be done there.
Trent said the Sewer Department is now into the next phase of the in-flow and infiltration reduction project. And he has met with Vance Neal, an engineer with the Larkin Group, to discuss the status of the Sewer Plant upgrade project.
The Street Department has also been busy...painting in the school area, and filling pot holes, which keeps Butler motorists happy.
And one other item...Diehl is contacting companies for estimates to repair the brick based light poles on the square, and the entrance posts at the cemetery.
That's the City Council report up to now. They meet each 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings at seven p.m. upstairs in City Hall. You're welcome to attend.
-courtesy FM 92.1 the Bullet
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