In new business Thursday eve, Cole Camp's Board of Aldermen adopted a 2024 budget of about $1,964,000, up about 12% from 2023 due to inflation. The budget included merit-based salary increases for several employees.
The meeting opened at 7:00 PM on December 21, with Aldermen Mindy Fox, Diana Burdick, David Locke present. Alderman Jon Beckman was absent. Mayor Bob Meuschke presided; City Clerk Dawn Paul recorded.
First actions by the group were to approve the eve's agenda and November bills and financials for the city, also approve special meeting minutes for November 13 and 15 and regular and closed meeting minutes for November 16 and phone vote minutes for November 28.
The group then heard from Aspen Williams, who furnished an update for planned sidewalk improvements on the west side of downtown Main Street The plan will be put on the city's website for citizen review.
There was no old business, and a proposed nuisance ordinance for poultry was tabled to the next meeting. A city insurance '24 bill of $39,559, containing about a 12 percent inflation increase over 2023, was also agreed on.
Clerk Paul reported that City CD funds of about $1,343,149 will begin receiving a slight increase of interest in Jan. She also said the city's updated website is now live, and added board members filing for next election should know that December 26 ends their opportunity to do so. Lastly, she reported that a Christmas Dinner will be available for city employees at noon December 22.
PW Director Heath Roark said the city's water project is "getting there," and that a sewer camera is now used between city mains. He projected good snow removal results, if the city has normal snowfall this winter.
Police Officer Randy Koenke, reporting in the absence of Chief Jeff Canfield, said Officer Robert Mullet has recently resigned and accepted employment in another city. He added the city has received a recent traffic grant, allowing his department to hire another person.
Mayor Meuschke reported The city has received a $88,000 MoDOT grant for planning walking and biking trails in town.
The meeting closed about 8:00 PM to go into executive session. The open meetings are usually held on 3rd Thursday eves; the public is welcome.
