Jackson budget passes, includes employee pay raises

The Jackson Board of Aldermen approved the city's $26 million budget for 2011, which includes about $100,000 in pay raises for the city's 130 employees.

Assistant city administrator Larry Koenig said employees, depending on their level or step, would receive between 2 and 3 percent raises.

The budget is less than the 2010 budget, which was a little more than $26 million.

Koenig said that is consistent with the "flat" receipts of the last couple of years.

The budget includes more than $390,000 in capital projects. The proposed projects include a $20,000 warehouse remodel for the water distribution department, storm-water area inlet repairs for $30,000 and a $19,000 front-deck mower for the parks department.

Through special funds, grants and money set aside for certain projects, the city will also finance other capital projects, including street overlay, the South Orchard Road extension, the construction of a second fire station, three patrol cars for the police department and an upgrade of the city's radio equipment.

Before approving the budget there was a public hearing, but no one spoke.

Aldermen voted to defer a vote on bills establishing no-parking zones on North High Street and North Lacey Street because the absence of three aldermen. Phil Penzel, Larry Cunningham and Tim Welker were not at the meeting.

At the study session, the board heard information from city attorney Tom Ludwig about an annexation request from Fruitland residents. One of those who submitted the petition to the city spoke to aldermen two weeks ago and said the group's ultimate goal was incorporation, not annexation. However, Missouri law required them to submit an annexation request to Jackson because of its proximity.

Ludwig recommended the board allow city staff to research the request and come back with a proposal. The city has one year to make a decision.

Mayor Barbara Lohr said the city needed to consider the request because summarily dismissing it could limit the city's growth.

"We need to look at it. Are we cutting ourselves off," she said.

If the city decides to pursue annexation, a public hearing must be held before a vote of both Jackson residents and those in the affected area.

Other action

In other business, aldermen approved:

* A motion changing the date of the board of aldermen meeting from Jan. 17 to Jan. 18 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

* A motion approving Change Order No. 1 to Asplundh Construction Corp. of Fenton, Mo., to increase the contract time by 22 days regarding the 4 kV Electric Circuit Conversion Project.

* A motion approving Change Order No. 2 to CE Contracting Inc. of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., to decrease the contract amount by $918.64, regarding the Elwanda Drive Relief Sewer Project, Reach B and the Old Toll Road Interceptor Sewer Project, Reach A.

* A motion to set a public hearing for Jan. 18 to consider a special-use permit request for a mobile storage facility at 1011 W. Jackson Blvd.

* A motion to set a public hearing for Jan. 18 to consider a request for a special-use permit for a 10-by-20-foot attached oversized sign at 2705 E. Jackson Blvd.

* A motion to set a public hearing for Jan. 18 to consider a special-use permit for an in-home massage business at 915 Priest St.

* A resolution expressing and confirming support for an application to the Missouri Department of Economic Development for an Enhanced Enterprise Zone within the county.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

Pertinent Address:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO