Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council passes budget for 2003

Gurdon's City Council met at it's usual time on Monday, December 16.

The council discussed several budget issues as they looked over reports.

Mayor Clayton Franklin explained everything was fine and most of the departments were within their budgets.

However, revenue coming in to the city may fall a little short this year, but should work out in the long run.

Franklin also said due to the reduced revenue income, many departments may see budget cuts coming next year.

As the council moved on to approve bills, one council member asked how close the city was to purchasing the shop building from Randy Weems that they are paying $600 rent for at this time.

Franklin said he had talked to the city's attorney, Taylor King, a few weeks ago and was told the paperwork would be final in a few weeks.

King then later said he hoped it would be before the first of the year.

Franklin said, "I doubt it is before the first of the year either, but it will be handled soon."

All reports and bill's were approved by the council.

Ben Williams, Gurdon Water Department manager, was asked how things were going with the department.

Williams reported everything going fine.

Franklin asked if Williams had heard anything new from Whelen Springs about water.

Williams said he had heard nothing at the time, but thought they were working on easements in order to run city water in the rural area.

City Marshal Don Childres reported no problems with the Gurdon Police Department.

Council member Sally Tarpley asked Childres if the city had a radar gun.

Childres said yes, however, it is broken at this time and cannot be replaced until next year when the department has a new budget.

Tarpley asked if the city was losing revenue due to the lack of a radar gun.

Childres said, "Yes, however, we can pull people over and ask them to slow down or we can pace them in order to right them a ticket without a radar gun. It is hard to pace someone, but we can do it. I would have the gun fixed but it will cost $400 and we have sent it off and paid this price three times already. We can buy a new one for $1,800 to $2,000."

"We need one in Gurdon. We will get it fixed after the first of the year," said Franklin.

A request was made by the Gurdon Housing Authority for the council to approve the coming year's new board members. The members are: James Hilton, Wilma Davis-Freeman, Annie Hubbard, Doug Quillin, Peggy Webster and Jerry Hilton.

The board accepted the request.

City Recorder/Treasurer Tambra Smith gave a report on Gurdon's Animal Control Officer. Smith said, "I went to see Carroll. He came home last Friday. He seemed to be doing better although he was a little weak. He plans on returning back to work by the beginning of next year."

Franklin reported Clark County receiving a grant to use in recycling. The grand was for the amount of $21,000. The money was going to be used to buy a cardboard baler. The baler would be brought to Gurdon once a week for use. Franklin said he felt Gurdon wouldn't get much use out of the baler and requested Gurdon be given their third of the money which was $7,000, to use as Gurdon needed on it's recycling projects.

Franklin said the council will be able to use the money towards recycling as soon as it comes in.

Council members Danny Paull, David Buck and Sally Tarpley were selected to be on the budget committee.

Franklin reminded the council members they were allowed to attend budget committee meetings whether they were on the committee or not.

After three months of reading the Nuisance Ordinance, the council finally approved to pass the ordinance as originally read.

Franklin also asked the council to pass a resolution about the opposed landfill to be placed near Gurdon.

Council member Tarpley said, "It is only fair to do what we can."

Franklin said, "Don't worry. We are not dead yet. There are still several things we can do to try and prevent this thing."

After last month's council meeting, Frank Plasek met with the City of Gurdon's personnel committee in regards to his job.

Plasek was fired in November by Marshal Childres. Plasek argues he lost his job due to the fact he ran against the incmubant Childres in the marshal's race.

Childres disputes the accusations and said he had documented reasoning behind his decision to terminate Plasek's employment.

After meeting with the personnel committee, which is made up of the department heads from the city, it was unanimously decided to leave Plasek's termination as it was.

Plasek asked to address the council in executive session on Monday night. Franklin told Plasek the council would have to decide whether or not it would go into executive session.

Plasek replied, "Well that's fine with me. I can stand right hear and tell you everything I have to whether you want me to or not. I can air it all."

Council member Danny Paull made the motion the council meet with Plasek in executive session.

After almost an hour and a half the council returned with Franklin reporting the council voting unanimously to leave the Marshal's and the personnel committee's decision as it was.