Pineville City Marshall Chris Owens is proud that his small town is one of only two in the county that offers 24-hour police protection.
Now, he and his staff have an even better vehicle to carry out their mission.
Pineville City Council OKs 2017 Budget
Improving infrastructure and adding amenities top Pineville’s budget this year.
The Pineville City Council approved the 2017 budget in a special year-end meeting on Dec. 30, Mayor Gregg Sweeten said.
Budget highlights this year include a new water tower, and adding a bike park and walking trail.
The city recently went out for bids for the water tower.
The allocation of $50,000 for the bike park and $40,000 for the walking trail comes from an option use tax, which dictates that any item purchased or delivered inside the city has an additional tax, Sweeten said. That money is then directed to the state, but turned back to the city on a quarterly basis.
The tax was implemented 10 years ago. Sweeten believes that Pineville and Southwest City are the only two towns in McDonald County with an option use tax.
City officials utilize the option use tax to purchase equipment or to undertake special projects. For example, Sweeten said, the buildings built for Jesse James Days, which is held in August each year. The buildings, located across from City Hall, also are host to other events that are held on the Square, including movies and music events.
This year’s budget includes revenue from a variety of sources. The largest sums and their sources budgeted include:
• $100,000 from city sales tax
• $300,000 from option use
• $100,000 from municipal court fines-minor
• $65,000 from municipal court fines
• $38,000 from the utility franchise tax
• $32,000 from real estate taxes.
— Sally Carroll
The Pineville City Council on Tuesday night approved $22,018 for a new Ford Explorer patrol vehicle.
Owens said the staff is comprised of five full-time officers as well as 13 part-time/reserve officers. Pineville and Anderson are the only two towns in McDonald County that offer around-the-clock protection.
He is proud that the staff works very hard to keep the small town safe.
"We have the best equipment in the county," he said. "Our City Council takes really good care of us."
During the meeting, City Council members also took the opportunity to discuss possible rate increases for water and sewer.
"We need to get our rates up so we can supplement the revenue to the city," said Mayor Gregg Sweeten.
The water system currently does not pay for itself; the sewer system comes close to breaking even, reported City Clerk Melissa Ziemianin.
Members discussed small increases in water and sewer bases and rates per thousand gallons, for which residents could budget. North Ward Alderman Scott Dennis said he wanted to consider a small increase and encouraged the council to consider a five-year plan.
City council members also discussed a cost-of-living increase for water and sewer rates. At the end of discussion, council members agreed to have Ziemianin generate some numbers -- a 15-cent and a 20-cent increase -- and what kind of revenue that would produce.
Council members agreed that each system should be self-sustaining and that the city should not be paying for those services out of the general funds.
Another goal, they said, is placing more funds in a capital revenue fund for long-term planning.
In other business, City Council members discussed moving ahead on the bike/walking path for the bike park. Sweeten reported that the city did not receive a grant for which officials applied, but said money could be utilized from the capital improvement project fund to help pay for the path.
"We can still do it. It wasn't imperative that we get the grant," Sweeten said.
Council members also discussed introducing zoning measures, which the city currently lacks. Dennis said the conversation can be difficult, considering a variety of issues.
"We are going to have to major in the majors to anticipate problems in growth and aesthetics," he said.
In other business, City Council members also approved an expenditure for backhoe tires and lighting at Mountain Ridge subdivision.
General News on 01/12/2017