The Houston City Council approved relocating municipal court operations to the county, a new city welcome sign and adjusting the city’s budget on Monday.
MUNICIPAL COURT MOVES TO COUNTY CONTROL
The council approved moving municipal court operations to the county’s associate circuit court division. According to members, the move will be a “wash” financially while allowing the city to better use existing personnel. One potential drawback is the loss of municipal control over cases.
In an earlier March meeting, Barbara Rodgers, city clerk, stated that the city would save money on software fees and judge salary. However, about $12 per case would be lost as a payment for services. In that meeting, Sean Smith, city attorney, and Brad Evans, police chief, noted reduced control and the need for prompt ticket filing. Licking and Summersville use the circuit court.
BUDGET AMENDMENT CLEARS PATH FOR POOL DEBT PAYMENT
A budget amendment was approved to pay an additional pool debt payment in the amount of $189,000. The additional payment was the recommendation of the city’s parks board. According to Mayor Viki Narancich, approximately $420,000 is in the corresponding sales tax fund. Five payments remain and the loan will be refinanced this year.
OTHER MATTERS
- A billboard at U.S. 63 and Walnut Street with McDonald’s information on it will be converted into a city welcome sign. The city was paid $300 per year to house the advertisement.
- A $55,475.25 bid for aquatic pour in place surfacing at the splash pad was approved on the condition that no other bids come in before the submission period closes. There was $55,000 budgeted.
- A $41,000 purchase of a dump truck from Rolla Truck & Trailer Inc. for the water department was approved. Ward I Alderman Fred Stottlemyre voted no, stating that one bid is not sufficient.
- A memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Houston R-1 School District was approved regarding use of a portion of the Houston Alternative Learning Opportunities (HALO) building on First Street for a small business incubator. The program will be overseen by the Industrial Development Authority (IDA).
- A not to exceed $2,227.90 vote was approved for printing of the 2025 city guide.
- A picnic license, allowing alcohol sales, was approved for the police department’s golf tournament on June 21, benefiting the Shop with a Hero program that allows area youth to shop with first responders at Christmas. Last year, 10% of program funds came from the tournament. Ward II Alderwoman Sheila Walker voted no.
- The city will seek bids for asphalt treatment of Thomasville Road from U.S. 63 to Highway 17, North Street, Orchard Grove, Oak Hill Drive and Holder Drive from U.S. 63 to Lilly Avenue. $185,000 is budgeted. A quarter-cent sales tax that supports the asphalt program will appear on the April 8 ballot for a five-year continuation.
- A decision on five ordinance amendments relating to stray animals was postponed until the second meeting in May. The current ordinance only addresses animals with owners.
- Lloyd Wells, city administrator, thanked employees, particularly the electric department, for work restoring power and cleanup after Friday’s storm.
- A six-year agreement with Cunningham Water of Joplin was approved for yearly wash out and inspection of one water tower. The cost is $2,250 per year. A $53,520 bid was approved for a power wash and paint treatment of the water tower on Cleveland Road.
- Dustin Hartman has been promoted to water department foreman. Bob Richards will transition to wastewater upon Jerry Jackson’s retirement.
- The council approved $30,000 for 2,000 feet of water line and 1,500 feet of sewer line to bring those services to the Rawdon Tarn subdivision on Oak Hill Drive.
- A new pump for the golf course, used to water the greens, has arrived. It was expected to be plumbed in and tested on Tuesday (March 18).
- A $6,298.81 bid for an E.coli testing machine was approved. The current one began malfunctioning.
- An electric rate study from Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA) is pending results.
- Wells met recently with members of the IDA, Durham Co., South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG) and state economic development personnel. Interest in Durham expansion in the city was discussed. Recent library and housing developments were seen as positives, as well as the school’s welding program.
- Narnacich reported that a discrepancy in the city’s two, one-cent sales taxes is due to the general tax including utilities and the one for parks, police and fire not, per the language passed in 2019.
The meeting adjourned into closed session at 8:08 p.m.
