Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council Discusses Budget

For the first time in six months the Gurdon City Council met at city hall.

This is because the city's municipal building has been undergoing major renovations, thanks to a grant from the Cabe Foundation for $230,000.

While the renovations aren't complete, they were far enough along to allow the council to meet there recently and discuss the city's business.

The budget was heavily discussed, as the funds for the Gurdon Police Department are running close at this time.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith said the department doesn't spend the same amount each month, and has already gone through 84.3 percent of its salary budget for 1998. To make matters more difficult, with this being November and deer season, some of the officers are taking their vacations at this time.

City recorder/treasurer Tambra Smith said one employee has opted for an extra paycheck instead of taking the time off.

Still, the mayor said this isn't unusual and occurs about this time every year. The department budgeted $170,000 for the year, but the payroll tax was underestimated a little.

The budget for maintenance and operation is also over the amount anticipated because of the aging cars in the fleet.

A cops more grant for $5,250 took some time to receive, though the city was approved for it for the third time. The agency handling the money makes electronic transfers, and a glitch in the situation caused the funds to be delayed in being sent to Gurdon. This money is to be used to pay officer's salaries on overtime.

An item in the bills caught the council's attention and was thoroughly discussed. It seems police cars were detailed eight times in October at $20 per detailing.

It was agreed there are times when prisoners being transported make a mess in the back seat needing to be cleaned, but this doesn't happen daily. In October, two vehicles were detailed twice each at a cost of $80 for the month.

Petty cash is available if an officer wants to take a vehicle to the car wash and knock off some of the surface dirt.

The council agreed, though, the vehicles need to be detailed for special events, such as the recent homecoming and Forest Festival parades.

It was also discussed the animal control officer/maintenance man could hose the cars off now and then under normal circumstances.

Delton Simpson was on the agenda to complain about how he was recently treated by officers with the GPD.

It seems he was having a dance for young people following the Go-Devils' 48-6 win over Horatio after the homecoming game. The dance was held at the old middle school gym.

Around 8 p.m., the disc jockey began playing music. Simpson left the game in the fourth quarter to get everything prepared at the gym.

Officers came by several times, saying there had been complaints about the music being too loud, and told Simpson to turn it down. They also told a couple of people under a tree they had to move.

After the third time the officers came by about the complaints, they reportedly told Simpson if need be the dance would be shut down. As it was almost midnight, he went ahead and ended the festivities.

Simpson told the council he was offended by this action as he works with the GPD, the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff's Office to help juveniles.

He said the officers were invited inside the gym each time they came by, but didn't go in. The problem he said, wasn't about the level of the music, but the way the officers treated him.

Smith, who had a copy of the police radio log for the night in question, said calls on the noise level were received at least six times, with different people calling each time.

The officers, he said, must make decisions and respond to each call. However, if they didn't handle the call in a professional manner, it will be dealt with accordingly.

As Smith pointed out, some people are offended by loud music, and the elderly may not be as tolerant as younger residents.

It was suggested to have the bass turned down at future dances as bass is louder and the sound carries further.

In other business, the deal is done on the city purchasing a tract of land by the Gurdon Post Office. This property will be used by the city's street department to store equipment at times.

Tenth street, from the county line to Kansas Road has been chipped and seal. This project, 1.4 miles in length, was done as preventative maintenance for the coming winter. Work was also done on North Front Street and Crayton.

A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov.24 at City Hall. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the possibility of the Southwest Central Regional Solid Waste Management District getting the option on a tract of land and having it permitted for a landfill.

Currently, the district, of which Gurdon is a member, has a contract with BFI. However, the garbage has to be taken through Saline County, and Saline County officials are questioning the legality of this.

Smith said they are "sore losers" as the district successfully sued them a couple of years ago when the Saline County Landfill attempted to raise the tipping fees above the agreed upon contracted price.

Animal Control Officer Carroll Martin said everything is going well with the program at this time. Some 60 percent of the city has been worked so far, with 73 stray dogs removed from Gurdon.

Smith said anyone having a problem with an animal can contact Martin and have the city's trap placed on their property.

Once the business meeting concluded, the council was given the 50-cent tour of city hall and told of the renovations made.

In order to protect the work done, Smith said, the council will have to consider passing an ordinance making city hall smoke free. A designated smoking area will have to be set aside outside as well. Fines will be imposed on those caught smoking inside the building.

Additionally, he said, there could be some contingency money left over once the renovations are complete (which should be by Thanksgiving). This money could be used to purchase new furniture for the meeting room.

A final order of business saw the council approve bonuses of $100 for full time employees for Christmas and part time workers getting $50. The bonuses will be paid at the first pay period in December.