The Jefferson city council had a short agenda for its Oct. 14 meeting. The council approved and adopted a revised purchasing policy.
The policy allows department heads to purchase any single item or service costing up to $2,500 if they’ve been specifically identified in the approved city budget. The department head must first verify the funds are available within the appropriate line item in the budget. The public works director will do purchasing for all public works departments.
Two quotes are needed before purchasing items and services costing more than $2,500 but less than $25,000. If the lowest quote isn’t selected the department head must provide a written explanation of the purchasing decision. Purchases greater than $25,000 must have prior approval by the city council.
Among other things, the consent agenda included approving a Clas C retail alcohol license for The Public House LLC, doing business as The Public House.
City administrator Scott Peterson reported a traffic study of the Highway 30 corridor, two miles east and two miles west of the city limits along of Hwy 30, has been requested by a business interested in building along Hwy 30. The business and Greene County Development Corporation is splitting the cost of the study. However, at the city’s request, the study will be expanded to include the two miles north the city limit on Hwy 4. The city is expected to pay the additional expense, $2,700.
Peterson said the study would by multi-purpose and may be useful in the future.
He also mentioned a staff shortage created by water superintendent Kyle DeMoss’s departure for a job with the county secondary roads department. DeMoss is the only Grade 3 water operator at the plant, a position the Department of Natural Resources requires of the city. Peterson said there is an employee working toward Grade 2 certification, but there is no one now with Grade 3 certification. The city is trying to find and hire a Grade 3 superintendent, but it may be necessary to hire a contractor short term.
GCDC executive director Greg Piklapp told the council that the visioning process that was underway last spring, but tabled with the departure of Ken Paxton in May, will be done in 2026. He also reported a successful tour by high school students of American Athletic/Spalding and PowerLift on Oct. 3. “The students were in awe of everything they were seeing at the facilities and the opportunities that were there,” Piklapp said.
