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Hamilton city leaders review appropriations ordinance
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
Hamilton's 2008-2009 spending plan is about $600,000 less than last year's budget and almost $76,000 less than the amount approved at the second reading of the ordinance.
Some of the savings are in the water department, now that water plant construction and a sewer project are complete.
The Hamilton City Council approved appropriations of $3.12 million July 21, by fund: administration, $150,312; police department, $313,875; fire department, $117,900; E.S.D.A., $1,200; building and grounds, $90,250; sanitation, $1,000; cemetery, $8,000; street lighting, $42,000; audit fund, $5,000; streets and bridges, $363,600; Social Security-Medicare-I.M.R.F., $75,000; tort judgment, $98,000; ambulance, $500; permanent streets, $82,000; motor fuel tax, $105,000; water and sewer (water dept.), $985,450; water and sewer fund (sewer dept.), $545,190; sewer improvement fund, $46,000; library fund, $77,500; working cash fund, $9,000.
Council members also opted to keep pay rates for the city's elected officials the same in 2008-2009 as they were last year: mayor, $9,000; city clerk, $6,940; city treasurer, $6,000; city council members, $80 per council meeting ($1,920 annually) plus two excused absences and $10 per committee meeting (roughly $120 annually).
Starting May 1, 2011, council members will be paid $90 per council meeting and $15 for each committee meeting.
City reimbursements for mileage were raised from 50-cents to 55-cents per mile retroactive to June 1. Reimbursement for meals will be $30 per day including a 15 percent tip. No alcohol costs are reimbursed.
The city council also discussed a proposal for a $3 surcharge to water rates.
“We are constantly having battles with customers about who is responsible for maintaining the line from the curb to the shutoff,” said Water and Sewer Committee Chair Steve Schlatter. “We need to discuss a surcharge to allow the department to do repairs.”
That part of the line is the responsibility of the property owner, but Schlatter said that the leak often will go unrepaired for weeks, causing the city to lose revenue and softening up the adjacent road. The leaking water bubbles from the ground and causes sink holes and pot holes.
“It's more cost-effective to maintain them, hire a contractor or do it within the department,” he added. “It would make it easier for our water department to maintain the line from the shutoff to the curb-stop.”
Council member Debbie Summers opposed the surcharge idea saying that people who have a difficult time paying their water bill as it is, are not going to be able to manage a surcharge as well. She also is unwilling to pay a surcharge because a few people don't assume their responsibilities.
Water Superintendent Tim Schilson estimated that it costs $1,000 to dig up a curb-stop and make repairs.
“Either you have to develop a surcharge or enforce the other (fixing the section of line),” Schlatter said. “It is written (an ordinance) but they won't do it. Either change the ordinance and put money in Tim's budget or put in a surcharge.”
Summers wondered if the number of delinquent water bills would increase if a surcharge was added.
Police Chief Walt Sellens observed that $3 per month on about 1,200 water meters would raise $43,000 and asked if that much money would be required to take care of those particular repairs.
Schilson said there were about 18 to 20 service leaks this winter. Some required repair and others had to be replaced.
If the repair is along the highway, it can be “tremendously expensive,” where others might be as little as $100.
Mayor Stephen Woodruff directed the matter to the Water Committee for more consideration and discussion.
In other business, the city council:
Wants input from the residents about the use of properly equipped golf carts being allowed as vehicles in town because of the high cost of fuel. The golf carts would have to be driven by a licensed driver, have turn signals, lights, etc.
Heard that the fire department has purchased a 1999 Dodge 3/4 ton truck to use for brush fires. The truck was bought with donated funds.
Accepted the low bid of $7,582 from Area Distributors Inc., Quincy, Ill., for 16 tables, two table carts, 160 folding chairs and two chair carts that will be used in the newly leased senior center. Ridder's submitted an $8,592 bid.
Accepted the $678 bid from Lowe's, Quincy, for a stainless steel dishwasher and $298 bid for a garbage disposal.
Agreed to pay $1,665 Western Illinois Regional Coalition dues.
Paid McClure Engineering Associates, Macomb, Ill., invoices for $626 and $1,644 related to a sewer project and $603 for miscellaneous services.
Approved the following building and demolition permits: Pat Land, Rivercross Trailer Court, storage shed, patio roof, value $1,500; Lonnie Boley, rural Hamilton, demolish porch; Lynn and Doug Hubbs, Walnut Street, house demolition; and Steve Killoren, Broadway, build garage, $7,000.
Some of the savings are in the water department, now that water plant construction and a sewer project are complete.
The Hamilton City Council approved appropriations of $3.12 million July 21, by fund: administration, $150,312; police department, $313,875; fire department, $117,900; E.S.D.A., $1,200; building and grounds, $90,250; sanitation, $1,000; cemetery, $8,000; street lighting, $42,000; audit fund, $5,000; streets and bridges, $363,600; Social Security-Medicare-I.M.R.F., $75,000; tort judgment, $98,000; ambulance, $500; permanent streets, $82,000; motor fuel tax, $105,000; water and sewer (water dept.), $985,450; water and sewer fund (sewer dept.), $545,190; sewer improvement fund, $46,000; library fund, $77,500; working cash fund, $9,000.
Council members also opted to keep pay rates for the city's elected officials the same in 2008-2009 as they were last year: mayor, $9,000; city clerk, $6,940; city treasurer, $6,000; city council members, $80 per council meeting ($1,920 annually) plus two excused absences and $10 per committee meeting (roughly $120 annually).
Starting May 1, 2011, council members will be paid $90 per council meeting and $15 for each committee meeting.
City reimbursements for mileage were raised from 50-cents to 55-cents per mile retroactive to June 1. Reimbursement for meals will be $30 per day including a 15 percent tip. No alcohol costs are reimbursed.
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“We are constantly having battles with customers about who is responsible for maintaining the line from the curb to the shutoff,” said Water and Sewer Committee Chair Steve Schlatter. “We need to discuss a surcharge to allow the department to do repairs.”
That part of the line is the responsibility of the property owner, but Schlatter said that the leak often will go unrepaired for weeks, causing the city to lose revenue and softening up the adjacent road. The leaking water bubbles from the ground and causes sink holes and pot holes.
“It's more cost-effective to maintain them, hire a contractor or do it within the department,” he added. “It would make it easier for our water department to maintain the line from the shutoff to the curb-stop.”
Council member Debbie Summers opposed the surcharge idea saying that people who have a difficult time paying their water bill as it is, are not going to be able to manage a surcharge as well. She also is unwilling to pay a surcharge because a few people don't assume their responsibilities.
Water Superintendent Tim Schilson estimated that it costs $1,000 to dig up a curb-stop and make repairs.
“Either you have to develop a surcharge or enforce the other (fixing the section of line),” Schlatter said. “It is written (an ordinance) but they won't do it. Either change the ordinance and put money in Tim's budget or put in a surcharge.”
Summers wondered if the number of delinquent water bills would increase if a surcharge was added.
Police Chief Walt Sellens observed that $3 per month on about 1,200 water meters would raise $43,000 and asked if that much money would be required to take care of those particular repairs.
Schilson said there were about 18 to 20 service leaks this winter. Some required repair and others had to be replaced.
If the repair is along the highway, it can be “tremendously expensive,” where others might be as little as $100.
Mayor Stephen Woodruff directed the matter to the Water Committee for more consideration and discussion.
In other business, the city council:
Wants input from the residents about the use of properly equipped golf carts being allowed as vehicles in town because of the high cost of fuel. The golf carts would have to be driven by a licensed driver, have turn signals, lights, etc.
Heard that the fire department has purchased a 1999 Dodge 3/4 ton truck to use for brush fires. The truck was bought with donated funds.
Accepted the low bid of $7,582 from Area Distributors Inc., Quincy, Ill., for 16 tables, two table carts, 160 folding chairs and two chair carts that will be used in the newly leased senior center. Ridder's submitted an $8,592 bid.
Accepted the $678 bid from Lowe's, Quincy, for a stainless steel dishwasher and $298 bid for a garbage disposal.
Agreed to pay $1,665 Western Illinois Regional Coalition dues.
Paid McClure Engineering Associates, Macomb, Ill., invoices for $626 and $1,644 related to a sewer project and $603 for miscellaneous services.
Approved the following building and demolition permits: Pat Land, Rivercross Trailer Court, storage shed, patio roof, value $1,500; Lonnie Boley, rural Hamilton, demolish porch; Lynn and Doug Hubbs, Walnut Street, house demolition; and Steve Killoren, Broadway, build garage, $7,000.
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Taxpayer wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:05 AM: