Council Approves Request, Discusses Liquor Request And Budget

The Sullivan City Council met in open session on Tuesday, August 4, where they approved a request; discussed planning and zoning action; liquor license requests and then went into a special meeting for the 2021 fiscal year budget.

Sullivan High School requested approval for their annual homecoming parade on Wednesday, September 23, at 5 p.m. The parade will follow the usual route from downtown to "Sunny" Jim Bottomley Park.

The council approved the request unanimously.

City Administrator J.T. Hardy discussed recent actions by Planning and Zoning, which included approval of a conditional use permit for Village on the Green Apartments, 104 Mulligan Drive. 

The permit was approved with several stipulations discussed and featured in the August 5 edition of the Sullivan Independent News.

Hardy also reported they would have a special meeting on August 25, for a conditional use permit for Eaton Funeral Home. The funeral home is seeking a new crematorium at the Clark Street location.

Alderman Mark Dalton was assigned to review the monthly bills for the August 18 meeting for approval.

Under Alderman input, Alderman Jason Alexander, reported he was contacted by a concerned citizen asking that the school crossings at Elmont Road and Falcon Drive be redone with additional speed limit signage. 

Staff reported that they would speak to the Missouri Department of Transportation regarding these concerns.

Alexander also asked how the sales tax was doing. Hardy reported that it was trending a little higher than the previous year.

Alderman Paul McCulloch asked what the requirements in the city were for swimming pool fencing and enclosures.

City staff submitted building code regulations to the board members for review.

Mayor Dennis Watz asked aldermen to continue to review to request for lowering the liquor license sale near churches and schools from 300 feet to 100 feet. Aldermen reported they have talked to some constituents but needed more time.

City Clerk Jan Koch reported that the council would hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on August 18, for the 2020 tax levy. The preliminary figures show a slight increase.

The council concluded their regular meeting and went into a special session workshop on the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget.

Hardy submitted a balanced budget for board review and reported the city's budget has a projected balance forward of $24.8 million from Fiscal Year 2020. The city projects $22.7 million in revenues with $22.3 million for expenditures. The multi-year capital improvements budget included $825,872 for 2021.

There were no personnel step increases budgeted for 2021.

The council was to review the budget and bring back input for their next meeting and plan for a budget hearing at a later date.

The council will meet on August 18 at 7 p.m. for their next meeting.