A request to rezone lots on the rather secluded Shenandoah Street (west of Walgreens) for multi-family zoning has been withdrawn.

There were no complaints when the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and advanced the request on Sept. 19 to the City Council.

On Oct. 10, however, a crowd of those objecting to the request filled the council chambers. The request was postponed at that time because adjacent homeowners said they had not been notified of the public hearing.

City Administrator Carl Francis announced Monday that public hearing notices from now on will be sent by certified mail. Notices typically are sent to homeowners within 185 feet of the property in question. Notices regarding short-term rental requests will be sent to homeowners within 250 feet. Public hearing signs will also be posted.

New recycling site is open three days a week

Francis reported the first week of operating the recycling center with human supervision has gone well, with few complaints.

The trailer with various bins is now located behind the fence at the entrance to the Center Creek 201 Wastewater Treatment Plant on North Madison Street.

A small checkpoint building has been installed for someone on duty to monitor what’s being brought in.

Mayor Lynn Ragsdale said the goal is now to be able to actually recycle the items brought in – as opposed to the whole load being “sabotaged” by inappropriate items. “People are glad to hear we’re stopping the couches and mattresses.”

Hours of operation are 3 – 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturdays.

In other action, the council:

• Approved the long debated ordinance regulating short-term rentals. The vote was 5-1, with Alisa Barroeta (2nd Ward) voting no. Andy Queen (1st Ward) and Jonathan Shull (3rd Ward) were absent.

• Approved a special use permit for Burns Investments to use two of its new apartments at 502 Centennial Street as short-term rentals.

• Approved a special use permit for Apple Healthcare to hold outdoor wedding events at 28 S. Webb St.

• Approved the budgeted purchase of a new Dodge truck for the storm water department at a state-bid price of $37,081 from Reed Motors, of St. Joseph.

1-cent sales tax increases 14%

Webb City’s 1-cent sales tax brought $2,523,698 during the 2022 fiscal year, which is $312,873 (14%) more than last year.

Tracy Craig, financial administrator, also reports the city’s $0.25 use tax brought in $613,473. That’s $108,451 (21.47%) more than receipts for 2021.

There were 12.6% increases for two half-cent sales taxes – for streets, and for storm water drainage and parks; and the 3/8- and 1/8-cent sales taxes for capital improvements.

2023 budget approved

The City Council gave final approval for the 2023 fiscal budget, which takes effect Nov. 1.

The 1-cent general sales tax, the city’s largest source of revenue, is conservatively budgeted at $2,400,600. That’s $26,369 less than the amount projected to be received in the current fiscal year.

The use tax is expected to bring in $600,000, which is also less than the actual amount received this year.

Expenditures include an immediate 5% merit raise for most city employees and a 2% cost of living raise for all employees in the spring.

The “Cliff Notes” portion of the budget is on page 33, where it shows the general fund balance a year from now is expected to be $743,910.

On page 35 is the $8,114,248 list of capital improvements included in the budget. Whether or not those projects actually get done depends on whether revenues come in as expected, costs don’t rise too much and grants are received.

For example, the street paving budgeted for this year was reduced because of the increased cost of asphalt.

Each capital project has to be approved by the council before it can be started. In other words, just because it’s in the budget doesn’t mean it will be funded.

Note that $2,743,612 from the federal American Rescue Plan Act is expected to spent on capital projects – mostly on a traffic study, East Street (widening and sidewalk and roundabout at Daugherty Street), and the detention pond to stop flooding in the northwest section of the city.

Click on “Fullscreen Mode” and adjust zoom to view budget at actual size.