Bob Foos
Garage sale permit fees during the annual citywide garage sale from April 30 – May 2 were waived Monday by the Oronogo Board of Aldermen.
The board also approved Public Works Superintendent Tony Cantrell’s request to join the Oronogo Fire District in helping clean up the Oronogo Cemetery on April 18.
After accepting the winning bid last month, the board approved a contract ordinance with Neal Construction to replace the sewer lift station at Route MM for a cost of $259,255.
Payments of $44,234 and $145,684 were approved for work completed by Jeff Asbell Excavating on the stormwater detention project by Ruby Jack Trail.
A change order in the amount of $9,032 for Cochran Engineering for the stormwater project in the Webbwood subdivision. Design changes were needed when Liberty Utilities opted to move poles out of the drainage ditch that’s being improved.
The board voted to replenish the supply of water meters by approving the purchase of 50 at a cost of $8,750 and 50 ERTs (transmitters) to go along with them at a cost of $5,900. Public works is replacing malfunctioning meters.
The city’s workers’ compensation policy was renewed at a cost of $21,078, which is an increase of $1,386 (6.6%) over last year’s premium of $19,692.
Police Chief Steven Weaver announced that the department will receive a $19,271 Law Enforcement Sales Tax grant that will be enough to pay off a new Dodge Durango and pay for software fees. He received board approval to apply for a DWI enforcement grant from the state.
The board accepted the annual audit report from KPM CPAs and Advisors. It’s a “clean” audit noting the city has more funds in reserve than recommended. Mayor Charles Wilkins acknowledged the difficulty of conducting the audit – for city and KPM staff alike – because the ongoing bookkeeping problems that occurred after the software company switched to online. The city is in line to switch to a different software company.