The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday night in regular session.

The Council approved a resolution for the plans and specifications, form of contract and cost estimate for a roof structure and roof installation project for 100 East State Street. Plans include complete removal of the current roof, installing a new roof and demolishing the second story walls. The cost estimate is between $135,000-$185,000. Additionally, the Council set February 20th at 2pm to receive bids for the project.

The Council then approved leasing part of 200 East State Street to Heartland Bank for $1,500 per month with an additional $1,100-$1,200 per month as reimbursement for renovating a portion of the building. The Council also approved a new 28E agreement for dispatching services with Greene County at a cost of $35,000 for the next fiscal year and increasing the amount by $10,000 until the total reaches $55,000. The rate increase will then by 2-percent after the amount reaches $55,000. 

Next, the Council approved Bolton and Menk for engineering services for the airport runway extension project. The cost estimate is $425,000, with all funds to come from the Federal Aviation Administration. Bolton and Menk was also approved for a professional services agreement for the first phase of an elevator replacement project at City Hall. The first phase includes a preliminary report at a cost of $10,350.  

The Council then set March 10th for a public hearing on the proposed property tax levy for the 2021 fiscal year budget. The Iowa Legislature passed last year a cap of two-percent for tax asking dollars that can be added to the next fiscal year’s budget. However, if a local government entity wants to ask for more, a separate public hearing will be needed and the City will be asking for 3.5-percent. The Council also set February 11th as the budget workshop date and March 24th as the public hearing date before the budget is adopted. 

To hear more from last night’s City Council meeting, listen to today’s Community State Bank in Paton Let’s Talk Greene County program with Jefferson City Administrator Mike Palmer.