By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — Following a public hearing Tuesday, McPherson City Commissioners approved amendments to three funds within the 2024 budget to cover increased revenues and expenses.
One of the line items amended is that for Turkey Creek Golf Course, which reflects additional expenses in most line items, especially for capital outlay for a number of current projects. This was more than offset by increased revenues for the course along with a much larger carryover in that fund that was anticipated when the budget was originally adopted.
Similarly, the Capital Improvement fund started 2024 with more money than anticipated including bond proceeds for the North Fire Station and projects at Turkey Creek. This amendment also included funding allocations for projects that had not been anticipated at the time of budget adoption.
The other budget amended was the Community Improvement District line item, to reflect revenues received during the year being greater than planned, all of which will be used to reimburse eligible development costs.
Commissioners received the architectural plans for the new Police substation to be located in the former DCF building on East Kansas. The bidding process for the process can now proceed. For it, the Commission approved a $33,061 purchase of furniture for the building through Mattress Haven.
Police Chief Mikel Golden reported final plans are now in hand for a police command trailer, and information is being added for payment to be made on the $100,000 project. The Commission approved the promotion of Lieutenant Kyle Askren to Patrol Captain effective Jan. 6 and state of the hiring process to fill the lieutenant position and accepted the resignation of a reserve officer.
An additional purchase of a conflict monitor for the traffic signal upgrades at 1st and Maxwell was approved. This item has been left off of the original equipment quote for the project.
The Commission approved the promotion of an employee in the Street Department from operator in training to operator 1 following obtaining his CDL and completing other requirements. Updates were also given on the five currently active public works projects which are proceeding.
Another payment for the North Main Fire Station construction project was approved by the Commission. This payment was for just under $130,000, and with that there is only about $349,000 remaining to be paid on the Hutton contract.
The Commission also approved payment for renewal of the computer aided dispatch software on the Fire Department’s mobile data terminals and interfacing with their other software. Related to the project, Commissioners approved allocation of the remaining ARPA funds to the fire station project, which will complete the spending of the just under two million dollars the city received and allow final reporting to the Department of the Treasury.
A clean-up of a lease agreement approved in October for new golf carts at Turkey Creek Golf Course was approved. Since that action, it was discovered one part of the lease agreement and an additional resolution were missing from the documents approved, and this action took care of that. Commissioners approved the hiring, subject to completion of pre-employment requirements, of Collin Duckworth as Turkey Creek Golf Course Clubhouse manager. Duckworth, a former assistant golf coach at Central Christian College, most recently was the assistant golf professional at Hesston Golf Course. Resignation of a seasonal employee at Turkey Creek was also approved Commissioners recognized Public Lands and Facilities employee Ethan Vandorn on obtaining his certifications to be a Certified Arborist in Kansas.
A number of year-end matters were dealt with including renewal of various contracts. The Commission also approved an engagement letter with the Loyd Group for the 2024 audit, purchase of three printers, and an annual reimbursement to EMS for maintenance.
The Commission also approved requests related to the Community Christmas Dinner and payment for architectural drawings for renovations to the Municipal Center.
Next week’s McPherson City Commission meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 23 due to the normal meeting date falling on Christmas Eve when city offices will be closed.
