City Commission Adopts 2010 Budget-Keeps Mill Levy Same

The Liberal City Commission met last night for their regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30pm at the City Commission Chambers. At the meeting, Commissioners last night adopted the budget for the City of Liberal for 2010. The city’s budget is set at a little over $30,512,000.00 with the mill levy at 43.317. This is the same number of mills asked for last year so the city’s mill levy will remain the same. Commissioners also approved the Liberal Police Department’s request to submit for the Edward Byrne Menorial Justice Assistance Grant. This grant, if received, would be used for new radio’s for the department. Approval was also given to add an additional $30,000.00 to the First Time Homebuyer Program for 2009, and the commission moved to a second reading Ordinance 4374, the Golf Cart Ordinance. This, when adopted, would allow golf carts on to be used on city streets, on direct routes to and from the golf courses. There are several requirements and restrictions that would have to be adhered to by the golf cart owners. Also after a lengthy discussion and question and answer session regarding Western Avenue and whether to use asphalt or concrete, and which would make a better, longer lasting street, City commissioners asked the engineer, to come back to the commission with more information, so a clearer understanding could be had before a decision could be made. This should be back on the agenda at the next commission meeting so the project can move forward. Also after a twenty minute Executive Session regarding city property, the commission turned down a request from Ron Warren to purchase 4 lots from the City in Academy Court. As the result of the second Executive Session, commissioners voted to raise the city managers pay to $110,000.00. This would bring his salary more in line with city managers of similar sized cities across the state. The next Regular meeting of the Liberal City Commission is scheduled for August 25th.