Council Talks Nixing Position
During their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Southwest City’s board of aldermen voted to approve the first of three ordinances that would allow for the elimination of the city tax collector seat and begin collection services through the county — if the ballot option is voted into effect by constituents.
Ordinance No. 599 authorizes the mayor to enter into a contract with the McDonald County collector permitting the county collector to collect real and personal property taxes on behalf of Southwest City.
The next ordinance will outline the collection of other taxes, license fees and money owed. The city clerk would be responsible for these collections, their documentation and reporting annual totals.
The current city tax collector, Judy Pendergraft, presented the council with tax reports for 2018. She said the city is abating $204.51 in personal taxes, which is “much better than in previous years.”
New Business
Connie Faulk, with Tailwaggers Rescue, approached the council to offer assistance advertising and rehoming animals in the city pound.
Faulk said she noticed the overflow of animals being posted online and was called to reach out.
Tailwaggers is a charity that rescues cats and dogs. Volunteers work with five shelters, across three Facebook pages, to reconnect animals with owners or connect animals with new owners.
Mayor David Blake explained the city doesn’t have means to shelter the animals indefinitely.
Police Chief Bud Gow said the current procedure holds the animal for seven days in hopes owners will see photos of their pets online
and claim them. If the animal is unclaimed after a week, the city holds them for another three days while trying to rehome them. When all else fails, the animals are euthanized.
Faulk agreed to share photos of the animals across the Tailwaggers Lost and Found page on Facebook to spread awareness.
Departmental
Reports
Public works director Jackie Coatney said the water department has been busy. He reported repairing a main on Cherokee Street, a broken meter on Liberty Street, thawing a line on Mill Street, and rebuilding ratometers and chlorine injectors.
The street department removed Christmas decorations and salted roads during snowy weather.
The sewer department thawed the wastewater treatment plant and snaked three lines for residents in town.
City clerk Missy Zinn presented the council with a letter to residents for approval. The message will be included in the monthly water bill and asks customers to provide information for an update of the water billing system.
Zinn relayed a message from Audrey Clinton, asking that a council member contact her.
The city received two deposits from FEMA regarding flood repairs — one in the amount of $37,994.66 for repairs on Liberty Road, Frye Road and the Honey Creek Bridge and another in the amount of $11,028.45 for repairs to the parking lot at Blankenship Park.
In other business, Melissa Lance, director of the senior center, invited the council to hold its annual potluck and council meeting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, at the senior center. The council accepted and approved moving the next meeting’s location.