Local News

Confusion Puts Funds For City Trees on Hold

 width=Confusion between one of the city's entities and the City Council Monday night led to a lengthy discussion on how certain funds would be used.

Commissioner John Wise says expanding the Tree Commission's budget is a good thing but he has concerns. For better than 10 years the Commission has been operating on $4-thousand, and thanks to revenue from video gambling in the city would allow the budget to expand by $6-thousand.

[audio:11414treebudget1.mp3] [/audio]

Wise outlines concerns over $10-thousand going strictly to tree purchases. He says if trees are purchased and their costs surpass what is in their budget, they won't have the money to pay to have those trees planted and then maintained.

[audio:11414treebudget2.mp3] [/audio]

According to City Arborist, Steve Lobb, the Tree Commission does not feel the same way Wise does. He indicates the Commission and it's members believe the money would be able to go to strictly tree purchases, as the Commission will be battling several issues, most notably, the Ash Tree populations decline because of the Emerald Ash Borer.

[audio:11414treebudget3.mp3] [/audio]

Wise says he is absolutely in favor of a budget increase, but wants to see certain guidelines come with the budget increase.

The Mayor and Council members suggested Tree Commission Chair John Baker return to the City Council and outline their plans for the expanded budget.

In other news from the Monday night meeting:

>>The Council approved the purchase of two 2015 Ford Interceptor Utility Vehicles for the Police Department from Anderson Ford at a cost of just under $63,500.

>>The Council approved the sale of the Clinton Police Department's 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2003 Chevy Impala.

>>City also put on file the annual levy.

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Local Weather - Sponsored By:

CLINTON WEATHER

Local News

DeWittDN on Facebook