Outside firm to look at budget

"Mayor Pro-tem, Jayne Novak, will preside over the lighting ceremony this year," Hutchens said, adding that he would be out of town visiting relatives.

City Manager Harlan Moore told the Council that he and the city staff have been working diligently on the city's 2010 budget so they would be prepared to discuss the budget at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 19, at the Marmaduke Park enclosed shelter house.

In other business the council:

* Held a public hearing and voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving a zoning change at 420 W. Cherry from R-3, apartment house district, to C-3, commercial district. Brent Ernsbarger recently purchased the property and requested the zoning change so he can expand the storage and parking for his business.

* Voted 4-0, with Sherry Steward abstaining, to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving a contract with DSWA, Certified Public Accountants, PC, to conduct the 2009 city audit for not more than $21,500. Of the 40 firms solicited for the audit, four responded within the specified time allotment DSWA had the low bid. One additional response was received after the deadline and could not be considered. The agreement also provides an option for them to conduct the annual audit of the city's financial statements for each of the four subsequent fiscal years.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving an accounting consultant agreement with Diehl, Banwart & Bolton PC. The agreement provides for Terry Sercer to consult with the city on various accounting matters, including providing an outside review of the 2010 budget in the absence of the city treasurer. Among other items they will inform the council of any budget itmes that may lead fo future problems, such as "deficit spending."

* Voted 5-0 to pass on second reading a general ordinance amending Chapter 2, Section 2-5.2 to appoint the police chief and the fire chief, or their designee, as the custodian of records for their respective departments. This action is necessary since, with the establishment of the 911 dispatch center, the city no longer has a chief of communications and records.

* Voted 5-0 to give final approval to a special ordinance to distribute a $70,063 Workers Compensation dividend from 1996 and 1998 to the city employees in lieu of a cost of living raise. The money will be distributed equal to 2 percent of each employees wages of salary with the total amount, including applicable payroll tax expenses, not to exceed $75,000.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on second reading a special ordinance to complete the process for the city to receive a $61,645 operating assistance grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation to partially fund the city's taxi coupon program in 2010. The city will contribute $61,645 in matching funds. The grants are to provide funds for capital, operating, and/or marketing assistance.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving a contract with Allgeier, Martin & Associates for engineering services, primarily on streets, water and small sewer projects. The contract will run from Dec. 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2010.