Trenton city budgets approved 2 weeks ago to be re-evaluated

Trenton, Missouri sign at entrance to city
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Two weeks ago, the Trenton City Council approved budgets for the city of Trenton and its municipal utilities passing both then on margins of seven to one.

Mayor Nick McHargue did not sign the ordinances authorizing the budgets which, in effect, was described as a veto. So the budgets were up for reconsideration by the council last night. And one-half of the council had changed their minds. This time, only two votes were in favor and five were opposed.

Favoring the budgets as previously presented were Travis Elbert and Allan Quilty. Voting no last night were Mark Moore, Larry Porter, Brad Chumbley, David Mlika, and Jennifer Hottes Urich. Scott Blair, who had already submitted his resignation as fourth ward councilman, was absent last night but had voted for the budgets when presented in late March. It would have taken six affirmative votes to override objection of the Mayor.

Now it appears the council’s newly named finance committee will be meeting to review the budgets prior to having another vote on its adoption. The city of Trenton fiscal year begins May 1.

The budgets adopted in late March did not include any pay raises for employees.

Councilman Travis Elbert, a member of the finance committee that had several budget preparation meetings, said he considers the city absorbing a $90,000 increase in health insurance costs is a benefit which he calculated would be equivalent to over a “five percent raise” for each employee. Councilman Brad Chumbley, the only one to vote no both times, said he felt the budgets still had room for some additional compensation.

Elbert, who initiated the discussion after the Mayor failed to take action, made a motion to vote on the budget again – taking into consideration the Mayor’s objection.

But Elbert explained he felt it’s unfair for two future council members to be asked to vote on budgets that they were not involved in preparing or have much time to study.

There also was a discussion on what message is being sent to residents of Trenton since the council previously approved utility rate increases and now may be looking to increase wages for employees.

In terms of the water increase, it’s been reported the new rates are calculated for a worst case scenario—meaning if ConAgra closes and no one comparable occupies the Harris Avenue building. The electric rate increase was described as catching up on two previous years when the increase was only one percent.

Elbert said he’ll work with new and existing council members in reviewing the city and utility budgets. During the appointment process, Mayor McHargue kept Elbert on the finance committee but changed other members to Larry Porter, Brad Chumbley,

and Larry Crawford who had just been sworn in as fourth ward councilman to replace Scott Blair who’s moving from Trenton. The other four council members were placed by the Mayor on the administrative committee: Jennifer Hottes, Allan Quilty, Dave Mlika, and Glen Briggs.

The mayor also appointed a liaison to various boards.

Those taking the oath of office after their election last week were Jennifer Hottes, Travis Elbert, Larry Porter, and Glen Briggs. Election results, including the city sales tax vote, were accepted unanimously by the city council.

Larry Crawford is a former member of the city council, board of public works, and the park board. He’ll serve the term as fourth ward councilman until the election next April when the full two-year term will be on the ballot.

The council selected Travis Elbert as President Pro Tem. Brandon Gibler was reappointed by the Mayor as the Trenton Fire Chief.

The seven members of the council present approved a series of four updated city ordinances to comply with state laws approved last legislative session regarding law enforcement.

These included definitions; also police department records; crime scene photographs and video recordings; and weapons – carrying concealed. Two ordinances were amended on the professional services agreement with Burns and McDonnell.

One reduces by $10,000 the cost of a contract for engineering services at the wastewater treatment plant. The other increases by $10,000, the cost for the 17th street waterline project including preparing easement legal descriptions.

Another ordinance approved changes zoning at Snappy’s Tavern, 210 West 10th Street.

Before he left the council, Mark Moore requested future discussion by members to clarify existing ordinance on maintaining the right of way—encouraging communication between the property owners and city officials.

The city council also met last evening in closed executive session.


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