Can the city lawmakers save the taxpayers some money by eliminating certain professional services?
That question arose at the recent budget meeting, and it prompted Mayor Steve Rosenthal to put together a list by department of each line item designated as “professional services” so the aldermen could see what services were attributed to each area and determine which, if any, of those services could be reduced or eliminated to save the city some money.
A few questions were raised. However, no changes were made or discussed during Monday night's session.
In other business,
The city leaders heard and received departmental reports from the public works, inspection, parks and recreation and municipal court, which reported $19,301 in collections for the month of August.
The city officials also discussed the anticipated use tax diversion and the funds that have been allocated to the city. According to the released information, Indianola should get an estimated $289,155 a year for 10 years. Rosenthal said he just wanted to make the aldermen aware of the funds, but the money may not be available until January 2020.
He also added, “These are educated estimates, none of this is set in stone.” Rosenthal said it would take four years for the diversions to be fully implemented. He said that it would be phased-in in 25 percent increments.
One property in the 900 block of Williams Avenue was approved for demolition and rubbish removal. Nine other properties were re-added to the adjudication list for debris/rubbish removal and/or grass cutting, including one property in the 500 block of Cox Street that the owner is requesting leniency to have it remodeled. He was given until November 26 to show some improvements.
The lawmakers voted to change the signature cards on all city bank accounts to include the new city clerk Lashonda Moore, Rosenthal and Alderman Ruben Woods only.
After emerging from a closed executive session, the board voted to hire Michael Scott Jr., as a full-time firefighter and voted 3 to 1 to hire Terry Cobbs as a part-time firefighter. Alderman Gary Fratesi yielded the no vote and Alderman Darrell Simpson did not vote.
