GAS — Of 33 residents returning informal surveys, 27 said they thought the old Gas School, now property of Gas, should be used for reunions, receptions and similar gatherings. Another 23 thought it should be fitted to accommodate senior citizens meetings and events.
“I sent out 200 surveys and should get more back in. I gave until July 22 for them to be returned,” City Clerk Rhonda Hill told council members Tuesday evening.
Of the respondents, 21 said the building would be a good place for city facilities, meetings and elections and 14 agreed that it would make a good place for a local library and museum.
The community storm shelter, placed near the school earlier this year, now has lighting and soon will have seats installed.
Steve Robb, city superintendent, said he had completed wiring the structure and had placed emergency lights at either end. Two lights outside entrances are solar-powered.
Council members instructed Robb to begin laying concrete sidewalks.
Following a presentation by their accountant, Andy Dunlap, council members approved the city’s 2015 budget, which calls for net expenditures of $542,804, including $190,500 for the general fund. The property tax levy was put at 29.374 mills, a meager increase of .033 of a mill compared to this year.
A public hearing for the budget, which soon will be published in its entirety in the Register, will be at 6:55 p.m. Aug. 12, prior to the council’s next meeting.
On a 3-0-1 vote, with Kenny Baker abstaining, council members agreed to provide disability insurance for the city’s four full-time employees. The city will pay the cost for all four at $1,089 a year. After a 90-day waiting period, employees will be eligible for disability payments of 60 percent of their salaries, with a limit of $2,000 a month for up to two years. Returning to work would result in prorated benefits for those who can not perform duties full time.
Robb said the Gas work crews repaired four water leaks in the past month.
