City council to decide on one-ways, utility rates

News

July 10, 2015 - 12:00 AM

Iola City Council members will tackle a number of weighty items when they meet Monday evening.
Among the topics:
— IMS Traffic: The Council will decide whether to convert portions of East and Jackson streets as one-way thoroughfares around Iola Middle School. City officials note adding fifth-grade classes and as many as 10 instructors to IMS this fall will increase already congested traffic around the school during the day.
— Utility rates: The council will discuss a proposal to increase water rates by 3 percent and electric meter charges from $5 to $7.50 in an effort to boost those utility reserve fund levels. The city historically uses utility reserves to supplement its operating budget in an effort to keep property taxes low.
— 2016 Budget: Council members will further flesh out the city’s 2016 spending plan, which without amending, is pegged at $595,698 out of balance. The utility rate discussions may play a role in whether the city needs to cut spending projections or look at a property tax increase.
— Cell phone ban: Council members will discuss whether Iola should toughen laws regulating cell phone usage for motorists. A bill proposed this year in the Kansas House of Representatives to ban most cell phone usage unless the driver is using a hands-free device failed to make it out of committee. Some communities, such as Manhattan and Junction City, have such restrictions. Bonner Springs and Overland Park, meanwhile, forbid city employees from using cell phones while driving.
Other agenda items include purchasing a patrol car for the Iola Police Department, assuming ownership on a pair of properties near Coon Creek, an economic development service contract with Thrive Allen County and transient guest tax changes.
The 6 p.m. meeting will be at the New Community Building at Riverside Park.
The public is invited.

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