McPherson City Commission Meeting 8/6/24 Highlights
By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson City Commission Tuesday approved publication of a proposed 2025 budget, setting a hearing on it and exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate for August 20th at 9 AM. The city’s proposed property tax levy for 2022 of 53.238 mills is a little over six tenths of a mill less than for the 2024 budget but a shade over a mill and a half over what would raise the same property tax revenue for 2025 as was raised for 2024.
In case you’re wondering, one mill of property tax in McPherson is expected to raise a little over $150,400 for 2025, up just over six thousand dollars from this year.
Connected with the Revenue Neutral Rate, Commissioners approved an amended notice of intent to exceed it due to the original notice carrying a wrong date for the hearing as being in 2025.
Commissioners Tuesday approved a reimbursement to Citizens State Bank connected with the Euclid Extension of the Elm Street Drainage project. As part of it it’s necessary to permanently seal off an existing basement entrance from a tunnel to the bank.
Vogts Parga did that work, at a cost of $19,350.00 including block-up and seal of the existing entrance, waterproofing, sealing and filling of the tunnel with sand and water jetting it for compaction along with removal of existing rubble and cleanup. On the Euclid project itself, the phase 1A removals are nearly done and the storm sewer contractor is expected to start this week.
A pair of electrical projects were approved during Tuesday’s meeting. Both projects are being done by Hedlund Electric at a combined cost of $4,735.43. One of the projects is repair of an existing underground conduit to the pickleball courts in Challenger Park and the other involves repairs to electrical service for the statue fountain in Tallgrass Park.
The City and McPherson Recreation Commission pickleball courts opened for play on Aug. 1. The soft opening lasts until Sept. 2 and only the north and east entrances are open. The remaining entrances will be available once the sidewalk and rails are complete. The courts are numbered 1-4 on the south side from east to west, then 5-8 on the north side, west to east. The courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and drop-in play is free. To reserve a court after the grand opening, contact Wyatt Eisenbarth at the MRC office, 220 N. Walnut, 620-241-0363, and pay a fee of $8 per hour per court.
A grand opening for the courts will be held on Sept. 3 at 11 a.m. For more questions, contact Public Lands & Facilities Director Wayne Burns at 620-245-2535 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email [email protected].
A payment to Hedlund was also approved for repairs on a blower mower at the Wastewater Treatment Plant which had to be torn down to diagnose the issue.
Sale of $3.3 million in temporary notes for the irrigation project at Turkey Creek Golf Course was authorized. This will provide the temporary financing of the project until general obligation bonds are issued.
Commissioners also approved migration to a new document management platform that will replace the platform the city now uses. While the existing platform will remain in place through the end of 2024 staff recommended starting the process now, so they won’t have to deal with it at one of their busier times of the year. Approval was also given for a United Way kickoff event Sept. 7 in Lakeside Park and a beer license renewal for the 24/7 Travel Store.
Commissioners Monday approved another abatement payment at Tuesday’s meeting, accepting the low bid of $1,375.00 from Green Thumb Lawn and Landscaping for work at 914 South Main. This involves removal of an assortment of debris and trash on the front porch, driveway and back yard. That amount is being invoiced to the property owner.
The Commission has approved offering a skill bridge position in the police department to a member of the Armed Forces. Police Chief Mikel Golden Joey Reynolds, currently stationed with the US Army at Fort Riley, is coming as part of a program for military personnel about to leave active duty to work in the private sector prior to the end of their active service, with the Army to cover salary and other costs. Reynolds will start Sept. 4.
Commissioners also approved hiring of a crossing guard and seasonal hiring of three employees for Turkey Creek Golf Course for the remainder of the 2024 season, replacing three people who are leaving for college in the next week.
