Levy steady, tax ask up 13% for new city budget

McCOOK, Neb. — Higher property values mean the city levy will stay steady while still bringing in more money to keep up with inflation.

Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the City Council will be asked to approve on final reading a budget that includes a nearly $1.9 million tax request, up 13% from about $1.7 million last year.

The tax levy will stay at 34 cents per $100 valuation, but property values are $556 million compared to $493 million last year.

With salaries always the major part of a city budget, the council will be asked to approve an Employee Classification Pay Plan ranging from a lowest possible hourly rate of $12 for temporary seasonal help to a maximum possible hourly rate of $51.592 for the fire chief or chief of police.

An ordinance will also be considered to raise the city manager’s base salary from $124,496 to $133,210, for a new gross annual salary of $134,542 after 4.5% cost of living, 2 1/2% merit and 1% longevity raises are included.

The council will consider on the second of three readings an ordinance raising residential trash collection from $26.25 to $27.25 per month including a $2 recycling fee, household/commercial waste from $77 a ton to $83 a ton and $6 a month for yard waste collection, a $1 increase.

The McCook Humane Society is asking the city for $3,874.59 per month, up from $3,690.08 to provide animal service expenses, a 5% increase, with an annual cap on utilities of $9,000.

Councilors will be asked to approve a $814,747.90 contract with Paulsen Inc. for North Pointe and West C street paving and utilities project, with a caveat.

The contract includes $85,632.50 for paving one block west of West 10th on C Street, but since the bid came in above estimate, the adjacent Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department may not agree to the project. In that case, that portion would be deducted from the contract.

The council will also receive an update on the pool and ballpark projects

Other items:

• A memorandum of understanding with the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce will allow the use funds from the ACE natural gas program for promotional activities

• Approval of drawings and specifications for South Street Water Main Replacement and Ravenswood Road from the City Shop to South Ninth, with bids to be accepted at 2 p.m. Sept. 26.

• Great Plains Communications right-of-way occupancy for underground fiber optic cable and two level vaults at West 6th and M to West 5th and M.

• A special designated liquor license for Rocket Inn for a wedding reception Sept. 23 at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Building.

• A request from the McCook Community Foundation Fund to close Norris Avenue from D to E streets on Oct. 12 for a community event.