Sullivan City Council Approves Budget During Lengthy Meeting

The Sullivan City Council met in open session on Tuesday, September 6, with a public hearing regarding the 2023 fiscal year budget, which was followed by a full agenda during the regular meeting.

During the Public Hearing City Administrator J.T. Hardy reported that the projected balance forward for the city totaled $27.69 million with $24.22 million in revenues and $24.05 million for expenditures which was a balanced budget. 

There was $1.1 million budgeted for Capital Improvements in the city.

With no input from citizens, the pubic hearing was adjourned and the budget was approved in ordinances form later in the meeting.

Under requests and petitions the council had five items people before them.

Karen Diehl, Karen Ann Subdivision expressed concerns to the council regarding the proposed Skydive STL operating looking to come to Sullivan. Diehl reported that 20 of the 23 neighbors in her subdivision were opposed to the operating coming to the Sullivan Regional Airport.

The council thanked Diehl for her input and stated they would get back with her on this proposal.

Harney Mansion Foundation requested approval for a temporary liquor license for a fundraising event on October 15. The council approved the request pending state approval.

Anytime Fitness then addressed the council seeking permission to hold a fourth annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. The annual event has raised some $15,000 for Sullivan Special Olympics and was approved by the council.

The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce addressed the council seeking permission to hold their Halloween Spooktacular on Monday, October 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The annual event requested road closures, which were approved pending emergency services notification along with the event.

Laurie Price, Downtown Business Partnership, requested permission to hold the group’s third Saturday Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, which was approved pending emergency services notification and that the event didn’t interrupt the Sullivan Marching Band Festival Parade Saturday morning.

Under City Administrator J.T,. Hardy’s report to the council, aldermen approved the purchase of 40 Class 3 electric poles from Baldwin Pole, Wiggins, MS in the amount of $20,865; approved an emergency replacement pump at Sullivan Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $8,690 and approved the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce Marketing Agreement in the amount of $6,000.

Hardy provided some information on the Ozark Run Scenic Byway and recommended that the council suspend increasing the annual electric operations cost adjustment of 3 percent. Hardy felt that current rates and operations were sufficient to maintain the electric rates without the increase.

Under ordinances the council approved five ordinances Tuesday night that included:

Ord. 3966 approved the 2023 Fiscal Year Budget as mentioned above;

Ord. 3967, approved an agreement with Missouri Department of Economic Development for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for improvements to East Vine St. and North and South Rd.;

Ord. 3968; renewed an agreement with Sullivan School District for School Resources Officers for another two-year renewable agreement;

Ord. 3969, approved Sullivan entering into an agreement among Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission dab/ Missouri Electric Commission and the city as a member of Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool and;

Ord. 3970, approved an agreement with Midwest Infrastructure Coatings, LLC for a manhole lining program in the amount of $74,999.

Mayor Dennis Watz announced several appointments to various boards that included:

Larry Heiner was reappointed to Planning and Zoning with a term through May 2026; Sam Scott was reappointed to the Board of Adjustment with a term through May 2027; David Adams, John Fester andGreg Krueger were reappointed to the Sullivan Airport Board with terms through May 2024 -25 and Loran Maloney

with a term through May 2025, as a new appointment,

The council did go into closed session with one matter of real estate with no action being taken.