Commission passes 2010 budget by just one vote

The City of Fort Scott's 2010 budget was passed Tuesday night, but it was not a unanimous decision.

The budget passed by a 3-2 vote with a 2.5 mill levy increase bringing the total levy to 47.502 mills. Property taxes for a home valued at $50,000 will increase $14.28 and a house valued at $100,000 will increase by $28.57.

The commissioners have held several work sessions to avoid mill levy increase however department cuts, operational cuts, and even job cuts could not lower expenditures enough.

"Department heads have done a lot to cut," Fort Scott City Commissioner Jean Parker said. "We definitely need to watch our Ps and Qs."

One major problem with the budget is the decreasing reserve moneys. Which led Fort Scott Mayor Gary Bukowski to say the city needs to be "tight fisted."

"It's not a pleasant situation," Bukowski said. "We could see some major problems."

Other business conducted by the commission included:

* Proclaimed Sept. 11 as Patriot Day in which American flags around the county should be displayed at half-staff and a moment of silence should be observed in remembrance of the innocent lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

* Granted permission and will draft a letter stating such permission to host a fishing tournament Sept. 26 at Fort Scott Lake.

* Approved payment of $156,000 to APAC for street improvements.

* Set a public hearing for the alleged unsafe and dangerous structure located at 102 S. Washington.

* Approved payment of $43,800 to Marbery Concrete, Inc. for sidewalk improvements.

* Approved a change to the weeds ordinance stating lowering the excessive height from 12 inches to 8 inches.

* Signed a resolution to participate in the Bourbon County's hazard mitigation plan.

* Accepted the low bid of $11,905 from Professional Health Services, Inc. for physical evaluations for the Fort Scott Fire Department. The evaluations will be paid for by a grant received by the department.

* Denied signing a letter of support for a sewer system at Lake Fort Scott. The issue has been tabled until more cost data is available.

* Approved a supplemental agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. for additional work to the Streetscape Project.

* Approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for the restoration or replacement of damaged marble above the main entrance to the building located at 8 East 1st.

* Approved to notify city staff to proceed with the sale of surplus items through auction and sealed bid.