Commission approves 2011 budget

The Fort Scott City Commission took time out of Tuesday's meeting to present Jesse Durbin, Pat Farrell, and Johnny Keating with keys to the city and certificates of appreciation for their heroic efforts in saving the life of 16-month-old Riley Marchiano in May. The three men saved Marchiano's life after the car, driven by her mother, left the road and came to rest upside down in about 5-feet of water. Marchiano was trapped in the car seat when Durbin arrived on the scene and freed her. Farrell and Keating then performed CPR until medical personnel arrived. (Michael Pommier/Tribune)

The Fort Scott City Commission hosted a public hearing Tuesday evening which resulted in the adoption of the 2011 budget, complete with a 1.25 mill levy increase.

Despite adopting the budget during the meeting, the commissioners and city staff will still need to keep an eye on expenditures and revenues for the remainder of the year. However, the commission is pleased with a minimal mill levy increase.

"It's a very nice budget," Commissioner Jean Parker said. "We'll still have some tough decisions to make."

Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner said that he has worked on 26 city budgets, 20 as a city manager, and that the 2011 budget came together easily. He said because of the hard work by Fort Scott Director of Finance Susan Brown and the good ideas by the commissioners, the budget process was the easiest he had experienced.

"By far, hands down, this has been the easiest budget I've worked on," Turner said. "I'm glad its my last."

Other business conducted during the meeting included:

* Presented Jesse Durbin, Pat Farrell, and Johnny Keating with keys to the city in recognition for their efforts in saving the life of 16-month-old Riley Marchiano in May.

* Approved the Fort Scott Police Department's application for the Kansas Wireless Enhanced 911 Grant. The money, if awarded, would be used for digital aerial photography of the entire county which would be used to better locate where 911 calls are coming from. Included with the application will be a letter of support from the commission.

* Approved the signing of a letter of support for the Bourbon County Riverfront Authority's application for the Riverfront Trail Grant through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The amount requested through the grant totals $125,000 in which $25,000 would be a match by the city, county, BCRA, or a combination of the three.

* Approved the concept of closing a section of Main Street in front of the Keyhole from noon to 11 p.m., Aug. 21, for a Back to School Block Party. Event organizer Stacy Wunderly will be in contact with city staff to work out the details before the official approval is given.

* Adopted a resolution regarding the Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan. The plan was submitted to FEMA two months ago and FEMA accepted the plan. The city will now be able to apply for funding after Aug. 16 for projects which were included in the plan as concerns which need to be addressed.

* Adopted the Lake Fort Scott Emergency Action Plan.

* Approved the possible purchase of a vehicle by the Fort Scott Police Department, not to exceed $15,000. The amount is already budgeted, and the vehicle would replace a current vehicle used by a detective.