The Wamego City Commission tabled several issues brought up at the last meeting. At Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Merl Page was ready to approve the contracts for the City Office Security Project, but the signed contracts had not been received at meeting time.
In other business, Page said the Humane Society (has the City’s contract) contacted him about improvements needed for the Dog Pound. According to Page, the current shelter is somewhat temporary, and the Humane Society wants to erect a permanent structure on the same footprint. After discussion, the Commission is conceptually open to the idea , but would like to have a site plan and more details.
Also, the Commission gave their approval for the City and Fire Department to search for a used ladder truck and set a maximum purchase price of $550,000 without approval from the Commission. If the price exceeds the authorized maximum, it would require a special meeting of the Governing Body. Page said the existing ladder truck is at the end of its life according to the insurance rating organization (25 years), and if they are able to locate a good used truck, they need to be able to act immediately.
The Bid Review and approval of the 4th Street Project was tabled until the next meeting in order to further study issues recently brought to the City’s attention.
The Wamego City Commissioners had a good sales tax update at Tuesday’s meeting. City Manager Merl Page went over the June Sales tax numbers and reported positive results for June. According to Page, the City wide numbers are up .5 percent over the same 6-month period a year ago. He added that last month the numbers reflected 2 percentage points below last year’s numbers. The County-wide figures were up 3.4 percent over the same 6-month period a year ago.
In addition, Page said another positive was the 2017 assessed valuations are up 1.3 million dollars over last year, which amounts to a 3.47 percent increase.
