Council approves Container Services abatements
Staff reporter
Hillsboro City Council approved two applications Tuesday from Containers Services for renewal of two tax abatements.
Jerry Rayl, city financial adviser, presented the information and made the recommendation for approval.
Rayl told the council the business was $100,000 "short on sales projections and one job short based on today's economy. However, the company's performance is an improvement from 2003."
Council members voiced concerns about the business not adding more jobs. Rayl said in this economy, maintaining jobs is significant.
Both abatements are for equipment purchased in 1996 — one abates 47 percent, the other 100 percent.
Following more questions and concerns, Steve Garrett, city administrator, reminded the council the annual review is designed to review the business' performance.
Mayor Doris Dalke stated the business pays property taxes and taxes on other equipment not included in the abatements.
In other business:
— Dalke recommended the request for a pay increase for part-time police officers be passed to Garrett for approval or denial.
"This request should not have come before the city council," said Dalke. "It should be Steve's decision to approve pay increases."
Dalke added Garrett reviews and approves pay increases for the other departments and the policy should be followed.
Council members agreed and approved Dalke's recommendation.
— The council decided to pay a temporary note from available city funds instead of refinancing it.
The original note was for $150,000 and issued two years ago to pay for water filters at the water treatment plant. The amount due with interest and reissuing expenses is $165,000.
— The Sunday outage was attributed to a malfunction at Westar's substation, reported Garrett.
Garrett added it was a similar malfunction that occurred on a Sunday morning two years ago.
— Garrett will be attending a meeting regarding the use of wind power for electricity. Garrett added there's a possibility of a wind farm being established around Newton, and the information would be valuable.
— KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) informed Garrett the service from the north lagoons need to be discontinued and the lagoons dismantled.
Further clarification from KDHE indicated the leveling of the lagoon, said Garrett. Garret added the fence will need to be removed before work can be completed.
— Dalke asked if the electrical lines for the street lights on South Main could be strung along the side of the street instead of going across the street. Garrett will check into the request.
— Vouchers in the amount of $98,103 were approved.
