The Goodman City Council on Tuesday night voted to waive the building permit fee for a new elementary school in town.
City supervisor David Brodie said the permit normally costs $200 per million dollars for a project. He estimated the building permit fee would be around $400 but asked the council if it would consider waiving the fee.
The Goodman Elementary School was severely damaged in the April tornado. Officials are now planning on rebuilding a new school on the same grounds.
Brodie said he has been working with the engineering manager for the project. City officials won't inspect the project once it's complete. Rather, state officials will oversee inspection.
Mayor Greg Richmond said waiving the fee would "show good favor." City council members approved the measure.
In other business, the council approved the 2018 budget, Ordinance No. 2017-493, on its first and second readings. After the meeting, Richmond said that council members hope to purchase a used general utility vehicle for city use in 2018. An old 1994 truck has been in use since Richmond has been in a city capacity for at least 11 years, he said. Last year, city council members allotted $7,500 for a vehicle and were looking at vehicles online the night of the April 4 tornado.
A city council meeting was planned for that night, and just about two hours before the tornado hit, aldermen were looking at various vehicle options. After the tornado swept through and destroyed various parts of town, "the truck took a back burner," Richmond said.
This year, aldermen have allotted $10,000 to $12,000 for a vehicle, he said.
Aldermen also took action Tuesday night on approving a raise for all city employees. Alderman Calvin Wilson made the motion for a 50-cent per hour raise for all city employees, and the council approved the motion.
The city council members also:
• Approved averaging a water bill for Maria Narango, who experienced a water leak; and
• Approved training for city clerk Karla McNorton on Feb. 5 in Columbia
Richmond thanked everyone -- council members and residents -- for pulling together this year and helping one another, especially after the tornado.
"It's been a good year. We've had some tough times, but we made it through."
General News on 12/21/2017