The Chillicothe City Council approved ordinances regarding multiple matters on March 25.
One ordinance accepted the 2024-2025 budget. City Clerk Amy Hess reported the estimated revenues and expenditures are both around $20 million. Another ordinance amended the 2023-2024 budget.
The council also approved an ordinance regarding the use tax. The new ordinance states that revenue from the use tax will be deposited into the City Street Fund, which pays for the construction, repair, and maintenance of city streets, sidewalks, curbs, stormwater drainage, and related expenses, such as payments of any construction costs whether by city personnel or third-party contractors, City Street Department personnel costs, and Street Department equipment purchases.
The original ballot measure from November 2015 designated the funds from the use tax to be entirely allocated to street construction, repairs, and maintenance, including construction and repairs related to curbs, drains, and sidewalks. It specified that no part of the funds were to be used for the purchase of equipment.
The council approved an ordinance authorizing contracts with certain nonprofit entities for services to be provided to the city. The amounts authorized were $500 for Riding for Our Veterans, $5,875 for the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, $35,000 for the Grand River Area YMCA, $30,000 for Main Street Chillicothe, $10,000 for OATS Transportation, $5,000 for the Chillicothe Area Arts Council, $5,000 for the Grand River Multipurpose Center, $2,500 for Hope Haven Industries, and $5,000 for the University of Missouri Extension Center.
Another ordinance was approved, authorizing a consulting agreement with Rumery and Associates and reimbursement with the Farmers Electric Cooperative Development, Chillicothe Municipal Utilities, and Chillicothe Development Corporation to assist in the economic development of the city. The consulting agreement specifies that Rumery and Associates will provide information and consultation to the city and will directly represent the city in matters concerning economic development and positive economic growth.
The agreement indicates the city agrees to pay Rumery and Associates $3,000 each month for the remainder of the contract term for a total of $36,000. The city will reimburse Rumery and Associates up to $12,000. The Farmers Electric Cooperative, Chillicothe Development Corporation, and CMU each agree to reimburse the city for payments made to Rumery and Associates for $9,000.
Ordinances were approved that accepted bids for the demolition of 324 Cherry Street and 423 Clay Street with asbestos removal by Perkins Dozing. The accepted bid for 324 Cherry Street was $17,575, and for 423 Clay Street, it was $17,425. Two bids were submitted for each demolition project, with Perkins being the lowest bidder for both.
Hess mentioned that the demolition of the properties was court-ordered. The properties are not owned by the city, and she noted that the demolition costs would be added to the owners’ tax bills.
The council approved an ordinance authorizing a one-year agreement with Livingston County regarding 911 dispatch services. The county will pay Chillicothe because the city houses the 911 dispatch. The agreement stipulates that the county commission is to pay all the funds collected for the monthly emergency telephone tax to the municipality within 10 days of receipt.
An ordinance was approved authorizing a cooperative agreement contract for a paramedic training officer with the Chillicothe R-2 School District. The school district will pay the city $21,405 for the cost of employees serving as instructors at the Grand River Technical School for its paramedic training program.
The agreement states that the city will select at least one qualified employee from its paramedic shifts as a paramedic training instructor at the Grand River Technical School to maintain a certified paramedic program. The city will be responsible for the payment of the salary and benefits of the instructors. The school agrees to provide, at its expense, the facilities and other teaching materials. The schedule for city employees acting as instructors will be agreed upon by the school and the city.
The council approved an ordinance authorizing a lease with Textron regarding golf cart pace GPS systems to be used at the Green Hills Golf Course. The lease payments will be $3,160.40 for six months per year for the lease term of 54 months. Hess explains a golf cart pace GPS system includes real-time vehicle data, automatic software updates, accurate hole and yardage GPS, geofencing, and vehicle alerts.
Hess reports the decision was made to change the Chillicothe City Hall hours for city offices, effective April 1. The hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The driver’s testing office will stay open until 5 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday.
