Council Members Discuss Street from Maple to 4th

City Council members Tuesday discussed the construction of an east-west street that would run from Maple Street to 4th Street.

Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman said the City needs to expend remaining funds from a Tax Increment Financing district that is ending. The $326,600 would go for a roadway that would begin east of the Richard Workman Sports and Wellness Complex and extend east to 4th Street. The City would purchase the necessary property from First Mid Bank and Trust.

The project was only on Tuesday's agenda for discussion, but Council members seemed generally favorable to the project.

The Council passed the tax levy for the coming fiscal year. The City will realize an increase in revenue due to an increase in the city's equalized assessed valuation, but the tax rate will still go down 2%. The Council abated the levy for the cost of four projects on which bonds were sold to finance them. Enough interest was earned on the bonds to make the bond payments.

Council members also rezoned the properties from 804 to 810 West Edgar Avenue from single family residence district to neighborhood shopping district, and also vacated a portion of the east-west alley from Cherry Street to Mulberry Street. Also approved was a plat for Hidden Hills Subdivision, a large residential subdivision north of East Evergreen Avenue. 53 lots are included in the preliminary plat, 30 lots in the final plat.

The Council also recognized Jeff Lewis as the City Employee of the Quarter.

(JEFF LEWIS)