By James B. Bartle
One thing is for sure, the Sullivan City Council is combing through the proposed city budget making adjustments, seeking all options and exploring several possibilities.
On Tues., Aug. 11, the council met in special session to review the proposed budget.
On Tuesday night, the council reversed its previous decisions on several items, including: the $6,000 marketing contract with the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce was placed back into the 2010 budget; the combination of the animal control position and nuisance officer was dropped with the animal control officer remaining a full-time position and the nuisance code enforcer position eliminated with these duties being assumed by Sullivan police captain, Vernon Zelch, and building inspector Dan King; and the vacant and present unfunded Economic Development position was placed back into the 2010 budget.
The council discussed at length the possibility of using some restricted reserve funds to help pay for a portion of the new wastewater treatment plant which could help lower these rates.
City administrator Mark Falloon advised the council that this could have a negative impact on the city budget and the GASB (Government Accounting Standards Board.) The GASB system requires all city utility services to be self-supporting.
Falloon stated that he would put the numbers together with this option and bring them back before the next council meeting.
The council also discussed electric rates, once again reminding residents that they did not push a 4.9 percent increase that the city received from its electric supplier, Sho-Me Power, in April of this year; however, the city may face another increase from Sho-Me in late October or November of this year.
Alderman Mike Ryan expressed some concerns over the city bidding out its lawn care services and the cost involved.
Mayor J.T. Hardy stated that the city wanted to receive bids on these services to determine if there is a cost savings by using a private firm or contracted private service.
The council was scheduled to hold another budget meeting on Tuesday night, Aug. 18, following their regular monthly meeting.