Aldermen Hold June 14 Meeting
By Sue Curry Jones
The Ava Board of Aldermen met Tuesday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, with four aldermen present –– Burrely Loftin, Stan Lovan, Leon Harris and Keith Jones. Mayor David Norman was absent.
Burrely Loftin, president of the board, facilitated the meeting.
Councilmen held a closed session meeting, and according to Suzanne Welsh, city clerk, no voting action transpired. During open, however, councilmen unanimously adopted four resolutions, and renewed a city ordinance delineating standards for elected public officials, and their obligation to disclose conflicts of interest and submit financial reports. The disclosure ordinance was adopted in two readings, with motions by councilmen Keith Jones and Stan Lovan.
Adoption of four other decrees included the renewal of a contract with the Senior Agency on Aging for the right to use the Ava Community Center building as an office site. The renewal extends the agreement to June 30, 2017. Aldermen Stan Lovan and Leon Harris tendered the motions.
The board also renewed a one-year contract with the Douglas County Fair Association, as the current agreement expires on June 30, 2016. Motions to approve were made by Jones and Harris.
Proposed annual budget figures for the City of Ava, for the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016, were approved as submitted. The budget hearing was held Monday, June 13, and proposed expenditures for the new fiscal year are $11,068,994. Motions to adopt the budget were by Lovan and Harris.
Council also approved amending the 2015-16 budget, as additional expenses had been incurred for costs associated with pool repairs totaling $35,000, a trash truck expense of $50,000, and several small items, which made the collective amount total $105,500. Motions to accept the budget changes were by Jones and Lovan.
Reporting on current city finances, Administrative Director Peggy Porter advised city fund balances continue to remain steady at 1.8 million, however, with several large payments coming due, the balance is expected to drop. Recently, Porter advised, the city paid Missouri Public Energy Pool (MoPEP) $151,000, and balances remain steady, but there are bills that will be due at the end of the month.
Loftin noted the fuel pump at the airport is now installed and working, and the City of Ava is waiting for the Department of Agriculture, Division of Weights and Measures, to approve the system. Once the equipment is inspected by the state and Phillips 66 Aviation, the system will be in full operation.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, at 5:00 p.m. at Ava City Hall. Meetings are open to the public.
