Nevada Daily Mail: Local News: Council sets new property tax levy

The Nevada City Council voted 3-0 Tuesday night to raise the city property tax levy to 67.36 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The current rate of 66.96 cents per $100 assessed valuation was set in 2007. The library property tax rate will remain at 20 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Both rates are the maximum set by the Missouri State Auditor's Office. The city estimates the higher tax rate will increase the city's total property tax collection from $87,579,954 in 2008 to $88,193.776 for 2009.

In other business the council:

* Voted 3-0 to accept the low bid of $5,280 from DBA Quartz Plus LLC, Moundville to replace the south shelter house at Marmaduke Park that was destroyed when a vehicle ran into it. The cost of replacing the structure will be covered by the drivers insurance. Moore said that the city will try to have the shelter replaced before the Cottey Picnic, Aug. 22.

* Voted 3-0 to approve the appointment of Janet Wray to fill an unexpired term on the planning commission that will expire in February 2011.

* Held a public hearing and voted 3-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance accepting a 30-foot drainage easement from Blake and Amy Hertzberg to redirect surface water away from the 90-foot diameter cul-de-sac that is being constructed as part of the North Tucker Street improvement project.

* Held a public hearing and voted 3-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving the acquisition of additional right-of-way along South Spring Street to allow the widening of the road and the partial straightening of the S-curve south of the Country Club.

* Held a public hearing and voted 3-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance accepting easements from Blake and Amy Hertzberg, Robert and Stacy Hutchison and Christine Emery to allow Tucker Street between Ashland and where it deadends to be widened from 14-feet to 28-feet to allow two-way traffic and the installation of a cul-de-sac to allow traffic to turn around. This is one of the projects being paid for with money from the city's 1/2 cent transportation sales tax.

* Voted 3-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving the bylaws of the city's insurance carrier, which included changing the name from MARCIT to Midwest Public Risk and adding the state of Kansas to their coverage area.

* Voted 3-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance authorizing a contract with the Missouri Division of Family Services for a $22,552 Emergency Shelter Grant for the period ending March 31, 2010, to support the operation of the Moss House Shelter.

* Voted 3-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Vernon County Assessor to provide real and personal property tax assessments for the city of Nevada. Under the contract, the city will pay the County Assessor $200 per month between Sept. 1, 2009, and Aug. 31, 2010.

* Voted 3-0 to adopt Resolution No. 1265 approving the city manager, city treasurer and deputy city treasurer as signatories for the city's investment accounts.

* Voted 3-0 to pass on second reading a special ordinance approving a settlement agreement for $177,899 in back business taxes from AT&T/SBC Landline.

* Voted 3-0 to pass on second reading a special ordinance amending the Department of Public Safety's 2009 budget to add a $23,342 Justice Assistance Grant that will be used to purchase equipment for the Nevada Police Department.