Tax Levy, Turkey Trot, Monthly Bills Approved Tuesday

The Sullivan City Council approved the setting of the 2021 tax levy, the third annual Turkey Trot, payment of the monthly bills and repairs to a city street Tuesday night, August 17.

The council held a public hearing at 7 p.m. to set the 2021 tax levy at $0.3988 compared to $0.4212 in 2020 with the estimated tax revenue for the general fund to come in at $374,560 compared to $365,830 in 2020.

The council has no input from anyone in attendance during the public hearing and approved the levy by Ordinance 3931 unanimously during their regular portion of the meeting.

The council unanimously approved the Anytime Fitness Turkey Trot 5K set for Thursday, November 25 beginning at 8 a.m. Proceeds from the event benefit the Sullivan Special Olympics program.

Sullivan resident Steven “Red” Gamache, appeared before the council urging them to enact occupancy permit requirements on all rental properties in the city of Sullivan. He stated that other cities in Franklin County have them and felt Sullivan should do the same.

This prompted discussions from Mayor Dennis Watz and council members where the city reported that they do have city code in place to handle property maintenance issues and discussed the laws and enforcement.

The council approved a purchase for 30-foot Class 4 wood poles from Baldwin Poile, Wiggins, Mississippi, in the amount of $12,250 for 70 poles to be delivered in two to three weeks, approved the hiring of Benton and Associates, Rolla, in the amount of $10,000 for ADA studies and plans on all city sidewalks and buildings as mandated by the federal movement, failure to do so would result in the city not being eligible for funds through Missouri Department of Transportation; approved repairs to Pine St. and Elm St. for paving in the amount of $22,750 to N.B. West; and approved payment of the monthly bills totaling $1,595,009.63.

The council had no matters for closed session and concluded their meeting with no other city business.