Monday, September 17, 2007

No City Administrator in the immediate future

Monday, September 17, 2007 - Posted 5:56:43 PM by Editor

Speaking on his own behalf, Mayor Bill Koos said that the city has no immediate plans to hire another city administrator to replace Trent Smith who resigned last month.  Koos said that to hire a city administrator would cost the city over $480,000 in salary, benefits, and retirement funds over the next 5 years.  He said that amount of money could help fund the many infrastructure improvements that the City needs in the next 5 years.

The Mayor said that the City already has competent department heads to run the City's services.  He added that much of the paperwork done by the previous city administrator can be handled by the staff in the City office.  Koos said that most of the decision making work is done by the heads of the various committees.  He added that when inquiries are made to the city regarding potential development, they always ask for the mayor.  Also, according to the Mayor, the Finance Committee is responsible for overseeing the development of Section Six and other development possibilities.

Koos said the City has already successfully farmed out other duties such as legal work and engineering studies and is now considering hiring a professional development group to promote the development of Section Six and the Caroline Development.  The Mayor said that he is going to see how things run without a city administrator before making a decision on whether or not to hire another city administrator. 

Storm sewer project possibilities

Mayor Koos said that the City is working with the Farnsworth engineering firm to determine if it is feasible to run a storm sewer line north onto property now owned by Waste Management north of the City.  Koos said that it may be possible to run the storm water into a pond that is already located next to the Jumbo or slag pile 1/2 mile north of the City.  He added that one possibility is for the City to purchase a strip of land running north and making a nature trail leading out to the pond and the Jumbo.  Other possibilities are to use the Jumbo as a recreational area as well.

The Mayor said all of this is now possible because of the willingness of Waste Management to work with the City in getting storm water into Section Six.  He added that the City is grateful to have such a good working partner in this project.

TIF Surplus Funds to be distributed back to taxing bodies

The Minonk City Council rescinded an intergovernmental  agreement between the City of Minonk and the Fieldcrest School District and replaced it with a new one.  The new agreement enables the City to declare surplus funds in its TIF districts which can then be redistributed back to the taxing bodies through the County.  Mayor Koos said that there is about $25,000 of surplus funds in TIF II which will be given to the County for redistribution back to the taxing bodies.
                        Viewer comments on this article

concerned citizen wrote on 9/25/2007 at 21:50:18

I think that buying more police cars is a great idea. The city only has 3 and one of them doesnt even work right. Also Koos was voted in by the people. Why shouldnt he make some decisions. HE IS YOUR MAYOR!!!! Some of you need to think about how stupid you sound!!!

wondering wrote on 9/22/2007 at 19:19:51

I thought the people of Minonk voted to have a city manager. When did we vote not to have one and when did we give the mayor power to go against that vote?

Hmmmmm!! wrote on 9/20/2007 at 05:53:59

I'm thinking I have to agree with "or maybe". The Mayor calling the shots doesn't sound like a great idea to me either. I'm beginning to wonder if there wasn't a game plan here with the letting go of Trent. Not that I agreed with all of his decisions, I just am wondering what will come next. I realize running a city cannot be an easy job. One I would not want, just use good judgement Mayor Koos and do what is best for the city. Or will Mayor Koos be the next City Administrator? It's kind of looking that way! Good luck Minonk and I hope and pray the Mayor and City Council will use good judgment together and work together!

smarty wrote on 9/18/2007 at 17:33:14

could we use the extra money in the budget to purchase a few more police cars?

or maybe... wrote on 9/18/2007 at 17:14:12

does anyone think that all this smells bad? with no one else making the decisions, the board goes along with who's in charge....and guess who is calling the shots. pretty convenient i think.

Buying the Jumbo wrote on 9/18/2007 at 04:54:51

This is an old waste dump, why would the city think about buying this with all the changes that occur with the EPA. Sound like city is going to get burned again

Kudos For Koos wrote on 9/18/2007 at 04:31:29

I think that has been one of the smartest things he has done in office. Now lets make sure the money goes to the right things in the city that needs attention and funding.

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