Published: June 10, 2008 02:51 pm      

City Council $300,000 moved from MUC to general fund

Monticello — An amendment to next year's city budget will basically move $300,000

from the Monticello Utility Commission to the city's general fund, and much

of that has been earmarked for the purchase of a new fire truck. The

amendment was approved by a 4-1 vote during Monday night's meeting.

The council had heard the second reading of the city's budget for

2008-2009, which includes the Utility Commission, when Councilman Jeffrey

Edwards made a motion to amend the budget to basically transfer the $300,000

into the city's general fund. In the motion, Edwards said $250,000 of that

would be designated for the purchase of a new fire truck. The other $50,000

could be used to assist projects like the construction of the new restroom

facility at the park.

"The money is there and we need to be able to use it to purchase the

things that we need...This will not put the Utility Commission in a bind,"

stated Edwards.

After Councilman Donald Thompson seconded the motion, Councilman Alvin

Sexton, who represents the city on the MUC, stated that he was in favor of

getting the new truck they need, but said that this was not the way to go

about it. He said in the economic times that this country is facing, with

gasoline prices skyrocketing, he is not sure if this is the time to take

this action.

Sexton then asked MUC manager Gene Jones to address the issue. Jones

said he had not had time to look at this proposal before the meeting. "I

would have liked to have known," stated Jones. "You could have let me know

about this."

Mayor Kenneth Catron said the ordinance that created the Monticello

Utility Commission states that funds left in the operating account can be

transferred to the city's general fund.

After the amendment was approved, the council also approved the second

reading of the budget ordinance for next year.

Hank Bassett, treasurer for the Park Board, addressed the council during

the meeting and explained the new restroom project at the park. Bassett said

the board has received a $75,000 grant, which is less than the original

$100,000 they had requested for the construction project.

The project was bid recently and bids came in much higher than

originally anticipated. The low bid was $142,500, and Bassett said that by

working with the bidder and the project engineer they have been able to trim

it back to approximately $110,000. That still leaves the Park Board short of

approximately $35,000 for the construction project.

"We are here hoping you might be able to help us," said Bassett. "We

need the restroom facility. It will serve the Tot Lot area....It will also

be a major asset to the show ring area."

Edwards made a motion that the city pledge $17,500 to the Park Board, if

the county will agree to match the other half. The motion was approved.

In other action during the meeting, the council:

€ Heard the first reading of an ordinance that will prohibit parking at

159 South Main Street, in front of the library, and at 201 South Main

Street, the former Campbell's Grocery building.

€ Approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to make applications on

behalf of the Monticello Utility Commission for Homeland Security funds for

several projects, including automated security gates, a generator for the

water treatment plant, and closed circuit security monitoring at the water

treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant.

€ Declared a 1991 Ford L8000 dump truck as surplus property.