Waitsburg City Council Update

Council members KC Kuykendall, Kevin House, Karen Gregutt, Karl Newell, Kate Hockersmith and Mayor Marty Dunn were all present.

-Unanimously opted to forego the one-percent property tax increase allowed by law. The increase would have added approximately $1,500 to the city’s coffers.

-Unanimously approved a preliminary 2017 budget in the amount of $3,311,150. There are no major projects planned aside from the Main Street Bridge replacement and sidewalk repairs and additions.

-Terry Hofer presented an update on the Fairgrounds RV park operations. The council approved a request by Hofer to leave the park open through the year end, dependent upon the weather.

-Unanimously approved a resolution to suspend the city’s Economic Development Committee. The committee currently has no members and duties related to strengthening the economic development of the city are being handled effectively by the Waitsburg Commercial Club. The committee can be re-activated by a vote of the city council.

-Unanimously approved a resolution to set a public hearing on a proposal to assume the city’s Transportation Benefit District. The district was established in 2012. A hearing on the assumption of rights, powers, functions and obligations is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. A legal notice of the hearing will be provided.

-Senior Timber Frohreich was sworn in as the new student representative.

-The next Waitsburg City Council meeting will take place Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.