MINER - As if falling tax revenues aren't putting enough of a strain on their budget, Miner officials recently received word from the Justice Department that the city owes $51,247.19.
"We need to figure out how we're going to pay them," said Mayor Frank Tatum during Tuesday's meeting of the board of aldermen.
According to city officials, filing for the COPS funds continued to be processed after the city backed out of the COPS grant program resulting in an overdrawn account.
The overdraws occurred between January and September of 1999. "It's taken the Justice Department two years to realize we're overdrawn," said Janet Tuttle, city clerk.
In other city business addressed by the board during Tuesday evening's session:
* The lease-purchase agreement which will pay the debt service on the bonds financing the water-sewer line extensions was approved.
Ed McLiney of McLiney and Company in Kansas City, the company issuing the bonds, presented the board with a packet detailing the financing figures and maturity schedule for the bonds.
McLiney said during their review of the water and sewer systems, they noted the sewer portion of the operation has been running at a yearly deficit of about $8,500. "You've been using sales tax to offset that," McLiney said.
He recommended instead of charging each of the 408 sewer connections an additional $1.75 each month, the city could increase the per-gallon rate so large-use customers would take on their fair share.
* The board readopted a financial disclosure bill which is required by the state every two years.
* Business related to a proposed Tax Increment Funding project at the Outlet Mall was tabled due to questions raised by McLiney, according to city officials.
"I thought we had them all answered last Thursday," said developer Phil Boyer.
Boyer said he expected the project to bring in at least an additional $8 million, but for specific figures the city should proceed and enter into a contract with PGAV.
* Board members approved placing a plan to divert some of the city's tourism money to help the city's general revenue before voters at a Aug. 6 special election.
If approved by voters, the tourism tax money, which is primarily raised through the hotel tax, will be distributed in the following manner: 40 percent will go to the general revenue fund to a maximum amount of $25,000 per month except for the first installment which shall be $100,000; 35 percent will go toward capitol improvements; and 25 percent will remain in the tourism marketing and promotion fund.
* An ordinance which would enable the fire department to recoup the city's loses when responding to vehicle fires was approved.
According to Miner's fire division chief, Randy Baker, the provision is primarily needed for 18-wheeler wrecks on the highway that can be a burden to the department in terms of manhours.
The city will now be reimbursed by the insurance companies.
* Board members passed over Tatum's recommendation of Betty Barnes for mayor pro-tem and voted for Mitch Thompson.
Although the nomination by Donna Thomas and second by Tom Brock included no comment on the mayor's recommendation, Tatum asked what it was the board had against his nominee.
Thomas said she opposed Tatum's recommendation because during Barnes' previous term as mayor, Barnes resigned and "walked out on the city."
Although Barnes stated that she was not interested in the position and would have refused it anyway, she was the only one to vote "no" for Thompson.
* Tatum said allowing elected officials to ride in police cars opens the city to the possibility of lawsuits.
The city's insurance agent said a city employee injured while riding in a patrol car would be a workman's compensation issue, but elected officials are not covered, according to Tatum. "It is a liability."
Police Chief Roger Moore said he would abide by whatever the board decides. "If they want to get in my police car, I don't have a bit of problem with that," said Moore.
* Austin Henley, dispatcher, brought up a dispute he is having with Tatum over his being appointed to the position of Terminal Agency Coordinator for the police department.
Moore said the department is required to have a TAC officer by the highway patrol, and that the position is to be appointed by the head of the law enforcement agency.
Henley said Tatum opposed his being appointed as TAC officer.
At Henley's request, Tuttle read a statement from a witness who claimed they heard Tatum say he asked for Austin's dismissal because Henley was corrupted by the company he keeps.