SPRINGTOWN -- Council members adopted a 2014 budget and an amended 2013 budget at its Dec. 13 town council meeting. Council members were also updated on grant funds received by the town.
Mayor Paul Lemke reported that the town was given a $5,000 General Improvement Fund grant from its state representative. The money was deposited into the town's street fund and will be used for street improvements.
Lemke said the town needed to purchase a spreader attachment for the tractor. Tim Richardson has been spreading salt on the icy and snowy streets by hand, Lemke said. Lemke said the price would be about $500. The council agreed to have Richardson pursue finding a good used spreader for the town to purchase.
Lemke said Richardson requested an increase in his pay from $13.34 per hour for street type work to $18 per hour and from $35 per cut for mowing the park to $40 per cut. Since park improvements have been made, there will be a lot more weed eating to do there around the new equipment, Lemke explained. The council approved the increase in pay to Richardson.
Lemke said Richardson buys diesel fuel and occasionally other supplies for street work and pays for them himself and then gets reimbursed by the town. Lemke asked the council for permission to allow Richardson to have a town credit card for these purchases, and the council agreed to the request.
Lemke said the park improvements paid for with the FUN Park Improvement Grant are complete and the item will be taken off the agenda.
Lemke reported that both Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have requested additional information from the town regarding funds given to the city related to the Aubrey Long Road bridge project and have been furnished with that information. The town is awaiting their response.
A proposed budget for 2014 was adopted by the council. Lemke also presented a revised 2013 budget for the council's consideration and adoption reflecting the FUN grant park improvement money that was received and paid out and to show the GIF grant money that has been received. The amended budget was also adopted.
Lemke asked Don Jech if he was willing to be appointed to the town's vacant Alderman No. 5 position. Jech agreed to serve and was appointed by the council. Jech was sworn in following the meeting.
The preceding report was taken from draft minutes of the meeting.
General News on 12/25/2013