The Jefferson city council at its regular March 14 meeting okayed the appointment of five members to the Greene County animal shelter board. The five persons, who were nominated by mayor Matt Gordon, are police captain Jason Kroger, council member Darren Jackson, veterinarian Amy Klauer, and at large board members Samantha Hardaway and Bonnie Silbaugh.
People for Animal Welfare Society appointed Ann Wenthold and Greene County appointed assistant county attorney Laura Snider.
The animal shelter board is slated to hold its first meeting March 16.
The council held a public hearing on the 2023-24 budget and, hearing no comments, adopted the budget. The general fund levy is set at $13.34 (per thousand in taxable valuation), an increase of 44 cents from the current year, and a debt service levy of $2.09, a decrease of 33 cents. The total levy for general fund and debt service is $15.43, compared to $15.32 in the current year.
Total general fund revenues are estimated at $3,262,254. Just more than one-third of general fund revenue is generated by property taxes.
General fund expenses are estimated to equal revenues. City administrator Mike Palmer said there’s a carry-over in the general fund, and that $31,000 will be transferred from that fund to cover a shortfall that resulted from the state incorrectly calculating the residential property tax rollback rate. The $31,000 is about 5 percent of the carry-over fund.
The council approved a contract for $160,943 with Fort Dodge Asphalt for resurfacing W. Lincoln Way between Elm St and Grimmell Rd. Two inches of the current surface will be milled to a depth of 2 inches, and 2 inches of new hot mix asphalt will be placed, rolled, and compacted.
Funding for the project is from the city’s Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST) fund. The work will be completed by June 30.
The council approved the first payment of $55,652 to Accu-Jet for cured in place pipe (CIPP) lining of some of the city’s sanitary sewers. Palmer said sewer lines are examined via video prior to placing the lining, and that spot repairs were done by the city crew on eight or nine breaks in the lines prior to Accu-Jet’s work.
The council also approved the first pay estimate of $671,314 to Shank Constructors for work on the wastewater treatment plant. Palmer said the council will see 25-30 pay estimates over the course of the $17.5 million project.
The existing audio equipment around the courthouse square will be updated at a cost of $22,461. In approving the expense, which will be paid for with a portion of the city’s annual allocation from Grow Greene County, the council was told the county may pay part of it.
The bulk of the project involves updating the audio hardware to a digital system. The new system will have remote control capabilities, rather than being controlled from a closet in the courthouse. The cost also includes music licensing fees.
The council approved a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) contract with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for $453,071 for work on upper story housing above The Centennial. Karla Janning of Region XII Council of Governments told the council the project, which is being done on behalf of Why Not Us?, was one of five projects funded out of 17 applications.
The project will provide two apartments above the restaurant.
