The Trenton Finance Committee will discuss the 2021-2022 budget on February 4th. The committee will meet at the Trenton City Hall at 5 o’clock that evening. The public will not physically be allowed into February 4th’s meeting, but the public can watch on Zoom at us02web.zoom/us/j/83084717625.
Tag: finance
Demolition of nine properties main topic of Trenton City Council meeting
Accepting recommendations from the Trenton Building and Nuisance Board, the City Council Monday night approved a list of nine houses to be demolished and the selection of a demolition contractor. Three companies submitted bids including Red Rock of Kidder who had the lowest bid for all nine structures at $42,000. His bid actually was $43,400 […]
Audio: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver gains power, to be named housing panel chairman
KC-area Congressman Emanuel Cleaver will have more power in the new Congress, as a senior Democrat. He will soon become the chairman of the subcommittee of the House Finance Committee, one that oversees Housing and Insurance. Cleaver supported Biden early– and in return, Biden held a major rally in Kansas City at the […]
Final Jackson County audit report highlights concerns with assessment procedures, other areas of county government
Jackson County needs to improve controls and procedures in its assessment department to ensure effective and efficient future reassessments, an audit released today by State Auditor Nicole Galloway says. Those were some of the recommendations in the final report of the Auditor’s independent review of Jackson County government finances. The county received a rating of “fair.” […]
Audio: Should Missouri K-12 teachers get a bonus for sticking around next school year?
Missouri Board of Education President Charlie Shields wants the state to check into whether a bonus can be given to K-12 teachers to help keep them next school year. During today’s board meeting, Shields says he wants the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to do some “serious” exploring of what measures the […]
Governor Parson makes five appointments to various boards and commissions; fills seven county office vacancies
Governor Mike Parson announced five appointments to various boards and commissions and filled seven-county office vacancies. Governor Parson also named the new Acting Director of the Division of Professional Registration. Samuel Adams, of Ferguson, was appointed to the State Board of Mediation. Mr. Adams has served as business representative and organizer for the St. Louis – Kansas City […]
East Locust Creek Reservoir timber harvest announced
The North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission has posted a Request for Qualifications for an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract for Phase 1A for timber harvest. This will be, likely, the smallest of multiple phases of timber harvest and tree clearing. It is approximately 90 acres where the future East Locust Creek Reservoir (ELCR) dam […]
Audio: Senate leader expects 2022 Missouri budget to be tough, but not as tough as 2023
Missouri’s next state budget year that begins in July is expected to have a revenue decline of about 419 million dollars. Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden of Columbia thinks the projection of state revenue is very conservative. He says budget leaders are viewing the state’s finances through a two-year lens this time around because […]
Missouri State Auditor releases citizen-requested audit of Raytown
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of the City of Raytown, located in Jackson County. The audit was completed after citizens petitioned for a review of the city’s finances and operations. In response to the audit, the city has committed to making changes to address the findings. “Citizens requested this audit for […]
Missouri State Auditor issues audit on payroll and personnel issues in Jackson County
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released a report on the Jackson County government’s handling of payroll and personnel. The audit, part of an independent review of county government finances, found issues with the allocation of different funds to pay salaries and with the handling of vehicle allowances. The report gave a rating of “fair.” “Our […]
Trenton residents to decide in April election on enacting a local “Use Tax” for online out-of-state purchases
City of Trenton voters will get to decide next April on whether to enact a local “Use Tax” involving online purchases from out-of-state vendors which primarily involves the dot com and dot net vendors. The eight-member council voted unanimously on Monday night to let the voters decide. The rate is to be no more than […]
State auditor says fund transfers, budgeting process in Jackson County left taxpayers in the dark
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a report on Jackson County government focusing on budgeting and funds transfers which found that more can be done to ensure transparency in county spending. The audit was completed at the request of the Jackson County Legislature and the recommendation of the county executive. “Jackson County taxpayers deserve […]
Trenton City Council approves wage increase for police department; approves preparing ordinance calling for “Use Tax” vote
The Trenton City Council Monday night voted to have an ordinance prepared to call for a public vote on a proposed local use tax within the city of Trenton. The council also approved recommended wage increases for the Trenton Police Department in an effort to attract candidates for police officer. Both topics had gone to […]
Audio: Missouri among top “unsafe” places to spend Thanksgiving.
Missouri ranks among the most unsafe states to spend Thanksgiving this year, according to a recent study. The personal finance website WalletHub.com released its report on Wednesday on the Safest States to Spend Thanksgiving. Missouri ranked 47. WalletHub said it looked at all 50 states in terms of positive COVID-19 tests and deaths […]
Trenton Finance Committee to recommend raising pay of Trenton police officers and dispatchers
The Trenton Finance Committee on Tuesday evening, November 17, 2020, approved recommending to the city council raising the pay of police officers and dispatchers. City Administrator Ron Urton says raises are needed to help attract and retain officers. He reports the recommendation involves raising officers’ pay $3.00 per hour and dispatchers $1.00 per hour. It […]
Seven charged in connection with COVID-relief fraud scheme involving at least 80 fraudulent loan applications
Seven individuals across two states were charged in an indictment unsealed for their alleged participation in a scheme to obtain approximately $16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Amir Aqeel, 52, and Pardeep Basra, 51, both of […]
Trenton City Council approves repairs for 19-year old fire truck; approves health insurance rates for 2021
Trenton City Council on Monday night authorized more repairs to a 19-year-old fire department truck. The council also accepted the employee health insurance rates for next year. Fire Chief Brandon Gibler told the council the American LaFrance white fire truck was taken to an Oak Grove business to diagnose repairs that are needed to the […]
Missouri redistricting vote on Amendment 3 opens door to an experiment, regardless of outcome
(Missouri Independent) – State governments are unique political bodies that allow for experimentation in how rules and laws affect political outputs. As Justice Louis Brandies pointed out – states are laboratories of democracy. State governments have broad jurisdiction to “tweak” institutional rules and laws. Through this system of government, we can observe the aftermath of […]
Initiative connects rural working families with valuable tax credit info
Starting in the 2020 tax season, more rural Missourians in need will be able to learn about their eligibility for the federal earned income tax credit (EITC), one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty tools targeting low- and moderate-income working families. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health has awarded $1.35 […]
Former Missouri business owner sentenced to 8-years in prison without parole for $30 million fraud schemes
A former Missouri business owner was sentenced in federal court for a series of fraud schemes totaling more than $30 million. “This white-collar thief maintained his lavish lifestyle by stealing millions of dollars from his clients, partners, and lenders to build expensive homes, buy luxurious cars, and take numerous vacations,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison. […]