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Board of Aldermen pass ‘ambitious’ budget for 2018

No one from the public commented during a public hearing on the City of Jackson 2018 budget Dec. 18.

Assistant City Administrator Larry Koenig described next year’s budget as “pretty ambitious” because of major infrastructure improvements, and added, “Realistically, we may not accomplish all these things. We’ll give it one heck of a try.”

City Administrator Jim Roach told the CBJ that the major expenditures will be for improvements to the electric system. In addition to new lines and improvements to an existing substation, there are plans to build a new substation next to the Jackson Civic Center.

The City will also continue to replace water mains, do some sanitary sewer work, and continue its annual street improvements. A four-way stoplight will be installed at East Main St. and Oak Hill Road.

The 2018 budget provides “a very realistic portrayal of our revenue and expenditures for the next year,” Koenig said.

The total fund balance as of Jan. 1, 2018, is expected to be $35,637,718. Revenue is expected to total $30,318,834.

After receiving transfers of $9,504,544, paying transfers of $8,636,590, and paying for $36,977,028 in expenditures, the balance next Dec. 31 is expected to be $29,847,478.

The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved the budget as an action item.

In a similar action, the Board approved small increases in water, sewer and electric rates in 2018. The charge for solid waste pickup will remain unchanged.

The Board also approved the Jackson city employee compensation plan.

In other action:

• Building codes: The Board approved changes in the City’s building codes that were discussed in study session Nov. 20.

• UJRO: The Board approved a contractual agreement between the City and the Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization.

• Concrete pavement: The Board approved a change order of $19,279 to Fronabarger Concreters, Inc. of Oak Ridge for its work on the 2017 concrete pavement improvement program.

• Joint routing: The Board approved a change order of $3,365.76 to Parking Lot Maintenance of Lake St. Louis for its work on the 2017 joint routing and sealing program.

• Stormwater consultant: In study session, the Board was informed that nine consultants applied for the position of stormwater consultant. A selection committee chose three to interview and recommends H.R. Green of Chesterfield.

“They do other various communities. Their approach is the most appropriate for Jackson,” the Board was told. The Board will make the selection official at its meeting on Jan. 8, 2018.

• Public safety sales tax: The Board is expected to approve on Jan. 8 the language of a ballot measure requesting a half-cent sales tax to enhance police and fire services.

If approved, the request will be on the April 3 ballot.

• Public hearings: The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold public hearings on Jan. 10 to discuss a zoning change request from R-2 (single family residential) to C-2 (general commercial) at 1211 Gloria Street, and a special use permit to build an apartment complex in an O-1 office district at Lot 8 of Independence Center Subdivision.

Gregory Dullum has worked for The Cash-Book Journal for more than 25 years. Prior to becoming the editor in May 2017, he was production manager, circulation manager and reporter. Before moving to Cape Girardeau in 1988, he was editor of the Saint Louis Park Sailor, a weekly community newspaper in suburban Minneapolis, MN. A native of Minnesota, he returned there after graduating with distinction in 1978 from Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA, with a degree in mass communications. His wife, Marie, whom he met in college, is a native of Zalma, a small town in southeast Missouri. They have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. Gregory may be reached at cashbook@mvp.net.

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