The Bowlus Fine Arts Center has received a boost in its annual funding from the city. CITY COUNCIL members Joel Wicoff and Scott Stewart, members of the EMS merger subcommittee with the Allen County Commission, reported steady progress in their discussions. In other news:
Passed on a unanimous motion during Monday night’s city council meeting, the Bowlus will now be funded on a 1.0 mill levy through the city. The levy is currently valued at $31,952 for 2013.
The center had been receiving $25,000 yearly from the city, after an increase from $16,000 in 2007.
City Administrator Carl Slaugh said the funding through the mill levy would allow funding that fluctuates with inflation, among other things.
“It would provide some increase as property values change,” Slaugh said.
“We are definitely making strides toward unification,” Stewart said.
The committee met on March 18. Stewart said Deputy Fire Chief Tim Thyer, along with other Iola EMS and fire department employees, are currently working on a proposal they will bring before the committee. They expect to have a completed document in the next few weeks, Stewart said.
“Nobody knows what is going on like the guys that are charged with saving lives every day,” Stewart said.
Wicoff said the committee’s efforts have been worthwhile, but still have a long ways to go before they come to any sort of agreement for a merger.
“I felt like it was a good meeting, I don’t think a solution was presented at that time,” Wicoff said.
— Purchase of a new code services truck, a 2013 Ford F-150, was approved for $16,067 ($14,700 after trade-in) from Twin Motors.
— Lord’s Mowing Service was selected as the mower for the city at the rate of $45 per hour, after bids were released by the city.
— Council members approved the Solarbee maintenance agreement renewal for the mixers in the lagoons south of the city. The cost of the agreement is $32,266 in total.
— The city’s property, general, liability, inland marine, auto and linebacker insurance policies will remain with EMS Insurance. The council voted to approve the renewal, making a payment of $316,133 to the insurance provider. Slaugh noted the policy increase was 4 percent, compared to a 10 percent increase of most insurance policies.
— The city will purchase the Van Diest “Grizzly” fogger machine for mosquito fogging at a cost of $9,990.
— The council approved a loan agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for the wastewater improvement project with the city. The actual amount of the loan will vary, based on the cost of the work done to the city’s sewer lines and service pumps. The estimated amount of the loan is currently $785,000 with 2.11 percent interest.
— Following an executive session, council members approved an incentive for Tom Carlson to develop on the lots in the third addition of Cedarbrook. The incentive will allow the developer to make payment of the lots at the end of development, instead of prior to construction.
Bowlus gets boost
