Webb City property tax levy doesn't change

The Webb City Council on Monday approved the total 2024 tax levy, which remains the same at $0.7049 per $100 assessed valuation.

That includes $0.3710 for the general fund; $0.2498 for the library fund, and $0.841 for the park fund.

Anticipated revenue is expected to increase $22,768 from $142,626,441 in 2023 to $145,856,444 in 2024.

Of that $22,768 increase, $15,533 is attributed to new construction ($2,022,390, 2023; $2,203,610, 2024). While reassessment accounted for $7,435 (32.66%) of the increase.

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City Administrator Carl Francis reported that Well No. 15, the one under the water tower that was brought back into production this year, is finally operating automatically. It could be turned on manually, but after faulty equipment has been replaced it comes on as needed to help fill up the water tower.

He said the well is one of the system’s best performers, producing 400 gallons per minute. That has allowed the system to keep up with higher demand during the current drought. Being able to do that “substantially improved our Missouri American bill,” he said. When the city is short on water capacity, it purchases water from Missouri American.

Answering questions from council members, Francis said drilling another well is not as big a priority as it was, mainly because of the success with Well No. 15, plus more production from the other main wells since their pumps have been dropped.

The priority now, he said, is providing a backup power supply at each of the main wells. That need became apparent when most of the city lost power in July.

There may not be anymore street paving this year. For one thing, Francis said paving the parking lot for the new athletic center in King Jack Park is estimated to cost $100,000.

In other action:

• It was reported that sales tax collections for the first 10 months of the fiscal year have increased 6% over the same time last year. Use tax collections are up 14.39%.

• The council allowed the police department to contract with Idemia to provide digital fingerprinting with Livescan technology. With this service, officers submit fingerprints and mug shots to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Police Chief Don Melton explained the 5-five-year service agreement would cost $6,592 per year, except that the city is reimbursed fully each year by the MSHP as its funding allows. Digital fingerprint costs have been covered by the state since 2006 and are assured to continue to be covered for at least the first year of the five-year contract.