Scott City buys $140,000 in mowing equipment

Keeping Scott City more attractive was an item of discussion at the Scott City council meeting Monday night.

Concerned residents have asked city councilors who's cutting vegetation in the easements between city property and a residential property and who is mowing the culverts, ditches and overpasses. The city took action Monday to acquire better equipment to help the public works department resolve such issues.

Hillsides that surround Scott City often have been discussed as challenges for mowers because they aren't properly equipped -- making them unsafe in certain areas of town.

The council decided the main tractor used for mowing by the public works department cannot be resurrected after its most recent mechanical issue. The city agreed to buy a new tractor and equipment to make mowing easier.

According to Mayor Tim Porch, the estimated cost will be $140,000.

"As we increase money in that street fund, we need to being looking at widening those services out, maybe even including [mowing] culverts," Porch said.

It will take an estimated four months for the equipment to arrive. In the meantime, the council is discussing leasing a tractor for mowing.

Other business

Police chief David Leeman asked the council Monday night to fund training for some police officers regarding evidence collection and processing. The police department has exceeded its training budget this fiscal year, but the council approved training officers who have fulfilled their service contracts.

A 3 percent raise for the Parks and Recreation Department employees was discussed. Councilman Pete Wadlington asked whether citizens would approve of such pay increases after recent increases in water and sewer bills.

City administrator Ron Eskew pointed out with the cost of living increasing, the pay increase is something done annually.

Porch agreed, saying on average, the city council has approved a pay increase every year for about the past 14 years.

"If we were raising taxes, I would understand, but the water bill has nothing to do with taxes," Porch said.

The council went into closed session regarding an issue with culverts near the railroad.

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pertinent address:

215 Chester Ave., Scott City