The Guthrie Center City Council convened in regular session Monday.

The meeting began with the Council approving continuing accidental dismemberment and death insurance coverage for the volunteer fire department. Next, the Council discussed the 28E agreement the City has with the County to employ the sheriff’s office for law enforcement. The City is nearing the end of the four-year contract and Sheriff Marty Arganbright brought a proposed contract for another four years. The proposal was approved on a vote of three council members in favor as Chuck Cleveland and Mike Herbert, both employed by the sheriff’s office, abstained. The proposal will now be sent to the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors for their action.

The Council also discussed a proposed property tax levy increase of approximately eight cents per $1,000 of property value for the Guthrie County Regional Airport to pave a new runway, a $3.8 million project. No action was taken as representatives of Guthrie Center and Panora who make up the airport authority will be discussing the matter at the Supervisors’ December 18th meeting. The City of Yale is opting out of the airport authority. A property tax levy increase from the airport authority would pay for 10% of the funds needed, as 90% would be paid by the federal government. Finally, the Council tabled action on city employee salary adjustments for 2019.