ALDERMEN: Tax hearing fails to attract public attention; Burbridge takes oath of office

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a public hearing Jan. 10 to discuss the proposed 1% general revenue sales tax increase. Public notice for the 5:30 p.m. hearing was published in the Dec. 27 edition of The Salem News and was announced on the city’s Facebook page.

Few were present at the hearing, beyond the board of aldermen and city employees. The floor was opened for public comment at 5:40 p.m. by Mayor Greg Parker. Stan Podorski, of KSMO Media spoke.

He discussed the possibility of the city looking at a use tax as a revenue source. Parker said that the city may revisit the concept in the future. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack replied that the city had looked at the option in the past, but at best, the revenue generated by such a tax would not equal the amount the city needs. Podorski said that it may be helpful, at least toward the goal of reducing the amount of money transferred to the general fund from the utility operations fund.

Before yielding his time, Podorski mentioned that the hearing could have been better publicized.

The hearing was adjourned at 5:45 p.m., Podorski being the only member of the public to offer comment. A second hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 to give the public another chance to discuss the 1% sales tax increase and sewer bond before they go to an aldermen vote. If approved, the following question will appear on the April 4 ballot:

“SHALL THE CITY OF SALEM, MISSOURI, IMPOSE A CITY SALES TAX OF ONE PERCENT (1%)?”

The passing of the sales tax increase is crucial to the city’s efforts to balance next fiscal year’s general fund budget. City officials have said that without a revenue increase, the city will be forced to cut critical services to make up for a projected deficit of nearly $500,000 on next year’s general fund budget. City Administrator Sally Burbridge said in a recent finance committee meeting that the city could cut entire departments and not come close to covering the amount. City officials feel that a 1% sales tax increase is the only option given the current financial situation to ensure continuity of city services.

The aldermen had the first readings of both the proposed 1% general revenue sales tax and sewer bond during the regular portion of the meeting. No vote was taken on either, since a second reading will occur at a public hearing currently set for Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers.

Sherry Lea with Healthy Dent County addressed the aldermen to request approval for improvements to the activity space at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Lea says that the improvements will help the venue widen the scope of events that they can host.

Lea said the improvements will come at no cost to the city, but because of a lease agreement, HDC needs aldermen approval to move forward with the improvements. The aldermen approved the measure 3-0. Alderwoman Sisco abstained.

The aldermen also approved an invoice from Sho-Me Power for the costs incurred during the Dec. 3 power outage that fried multiple squirrels, destroyed electrical equipment, and left much of Salem in the dark while utility workers rushed to make repairs. The swift actions of public works and the Sho-Me crews meant that power was restored quickly, especially when considering the extent of the damage. Fortunately, according to city officials, insurance will cover the whole cost except for $5,000.

Later in the meeting, Sally Burbridge was sworn in as the official city administrator, raising her right hand while standing opposite city clerk Tammy Kohler. The aldermen and mayor offered encouragement before unanimously approving her appointment.

For further coverage, see “Burbridge sworn in as city administrator” in this edition of The Salem News or at thesalemnewsonline.com.

For more information on the 1% general revenue sales tax or the sewer bond issue, see “FINANCE COMMITTEE: Sales tax increase recommended; Fireworks display likely to fall to budget cuts” from the Jan. 10 edition of The Salem News or at thesalemnewsonline.com.

Also Tuesday:

Joe Brand and Sherman Odom were appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Salem Housing Authority.

The aldermen approved two Welcome Home Program contract change orders.

Budget adjustments were approved, increasing the total anticipated revenues from $14,606,126 to $14,613,626 and increasing the anticipated expenditures from $14,256,371 to $14,263,871.

The aldermen approved the Airport’s 10-year project plan. It will be reviewed yearly for updates and changes.