The City of Gallatin is set to begin the process of hiring a new city administrator following the resignation of Lance Rains. Rains submitted his resignation to the Gallatin Board of Aldermen on April 22, citing his new role with the City of Cameron as the economic developer and planning and zoning coordinator, which he will commence on May 16.
In other city business, the board approved two key ordinances. The first authorizes a contract for Rodell Sperry to provide cemetery mowing services, costing $150 for Lile Cemetery and $1,000 for Brown and Greenwood Cemeteries. The second ordinance secures Sperry’s services for mowing Dockery Park, with the Park Board sanctioning costs of $100 for ball fields and $750 for other park areas.
City Clerk Crystal Dorrel highlighted a potential change in telecommunications providers, suggesting a switch from Windstream to Green Hills Communications, which would offer significant cost savings. The proposed change promises a reduction in monthly expenses from $324.62 to $202 for the same number of service lines.
Further financial decisions included the authorization to open a pool tax account and a general Community Development Block Grant account at the Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri. Both accounts will feature Mayor Barbara Ballew, Board President Dan McCann, and Dorrel as signatories.
Additionally, the board endorsed the investment of $65,000 in a nine-month certificate of deposit at BTC Bank at a rate of five percent. This decision followed a review of competing CD rates from local banks.
The meeting also addressed employee matters, offering Brody Bird a part-time summer position at $13.50 per hour, and scheduling further discussions with the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS) via a Zoom meeting arranged by Rains.
Community engagement plans include a two-week advertising campaign starting in May to solicit cemetery donations.
Various municipal projects were reported, including ongoing cooperation with Total H2O Solutions on a lead service line survey and maintenance updates such as a newly installed platform at the lime sludge basin, the purchase of chemicals for lift stations, and the deployment of a new jetter by the street department.
Lastly, the board received updates on recent infrastructure challenges, including issues caused by severe weather, and the near-completion of a sidewalk grant application under the Transportation Alternatives Program.
