Minutes - City of West Plains

Special Council Meeting

November 16, 2001

The City Council met for a special council meeting at 4:30 p.m. on November 16, 2001 at City Hall. Members present were Mayor Joe Paul Evans, Councilwoman Judy North, Councilman Jack Pahlmann, Councilman Louis Citro, and Councilman Bob Burtrum. Also present were City Clerk Shelton and City Administrator Fugate

I. PRELIMINARIES:

Mayor Evans established a quorum and called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m

II. READING OF BILLS

A. Bill 3743 to become Ordinance 3743. First and Second Reading. An Ordinance approving the adoption of an amended budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2001 and ending March 31, 2002. Council reviewed budget amendment worksheets (copy attached) and requested the following additional amendments for City and Utilities; add Air Evac at $1,700, a lounge roof at $1,200, remodeling at City Hall at $5,000, a $20,000 increase to the water treatment construction, and reduce the revenue budget for emergency management $4,200.

Regarding the Chamber participation, Mayor Evans said that the Chamber wants to hire another marketing person and they can’t afford to do that if the City only hires a Chamber President/Economic Development Director (Kris Norman) and then pulls out the $18,000 per year additional support for economic development. He said that council members would be getting a letter from the Chamber board detailing the support services provided for economic development. Council agreed to change the Chamber participation from a $9,000 reduction to a $4,500 reduction for the rest of this year and look at that again for the FY03 budget.

Regarding the $1,200 across the board salary increase for all employees, it was noted that the raise amounts to 9% raise for those on the low end and a 1% raise for those on the higher end. Council agreed that employees need to understand that this increase will necessitate more efficiency and probably attrition in many areas in order to be able to fund this increase in the future. This would include an efficiency study for crews and possibly contracting in some areas. The importance of merit increases was discussed where employees who accomplish more are rewarded. City Administrator Fugate reported that raises ranged from 0% to 4% with the average this year at 3.5%. He said there were several raises at 2.5% to 3% and that the social security cost of living index is at 2.6%.

The motion was made by Councilman Pahlmann and seconded by Councilwoman North to approve first and second reading of Bill 3743 and become Ordinance 3743. Motion passed unanimously.

III. ADJOURN

The motion was made by Councilman Pahlmann and seconded by Councilman Burtrum to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.

CITY OF WEST PLAINS, MISSOURI

BY:_____________________________

MAYOR JOE PAUL (J. P.) EVANS

ATTEST:

_____________________________

CONNIE SHELTON, CITY CLERK