The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance on August 12 that set the property tax levy rates for the city for 2024. The rates are 65.46 cents for general, 23.28 cents for parks and recreation, and two cents for the band, totaling 90.74 cents. The general rate increased by 0.96 cents from last year, and the parks and recreation rate increased by 0.34 cents from last year. The band rate remains unchanged. Overall, the total rate is up by 1.3 cents from last year.
City Clerk Crystal Dorrel continued discussions on an excavation permit from Windstream for fiber lines in the right of way. She reported that the city’s fees for any excavation permits are $50 per excavation and $50 per boring excavation. The city anticipates the fiber project will total $5,300.
The board decided that if Windstream updates the permit application and pays the associated fees, the board would approve the application. Approval was given to the Windstream fiber project, pending the update of the permit application and payment of fees.
Dorrel presented the board with a notice of award for the wastewater bar screen project replacement. She explained that Smico Contracting Group was the only bidder for the project, and the bid came in under budget at $164,213. The board approved the notice of award for Smico.
Street Supervisor Jeff Johnson discussed purchasing tracks for the skid loader, explaining that the total cost was quoted over the phone by a Cat salesman at $4,700. The board approved the purchase of the tracks.
Dorrel discussed the Community Development Block Grant funds the city expects to receive to complete the payment for the street project. She explained that once the funds are deposited, a check must be written within three days. She requested board approval for the CDBG funds payout to Metro Asphalt for the asphalt street project, which the board approved.
The board continued discussions on Lifestyle Insurance before deciding to table the discussion.
Dorrel also discussed the Daviess County Public Water Supply District Number 2 rate. The board decided to continue the discussion at the next meeting.
Mayor Barbara Ballew read an ordinance by title that would authorize a lead ban in public and private drinking water plumbing. She will read it a second time at the August 26 meeting.
Dorrel explained that the lead ban is an updated ordinance required by the Department of Natural Resources. It mandates that any new construction or updates to private or public lines must not use lead lines.
It was reported that water department staff continued working with the engineer on the water line project, checked meters, and changed meters. They also worked on obtaining a Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association grant list for supplies. Additionally, a Department of Natural Resources yearly inspection was completed.
Wastewater department staff worked on a water leak and cleaning wells. They attended the bar screen pre-bid and bid opening meetings. They also repaired the current bar screen after it was struck by lightning.
Electric department staff worked on straightening poles, cutting away brush from lines, fixing a water leak on Richardson Street, handling service changeouts, and pulling meters.
Street staff continued mowing and completed street projects for 2024. They also assisted with water leaks.
The board entered into a closed session to discuss employees.
