The Webster Progress-Times

The Eupora Board of Aldermen adopted the 2007-08 budget and handled various other matters during previous meetings.

The $2.5 million budget for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2008, was adopted by a 4-0 vote during a special called meeting on Oct. 8; Robert Calvin Mays (Ward 1) was unable to attend.

Its final adoption followed a Sept. 4 vote to go forward with the budget as then proposed and a Sept. 27 budget hearing at which no public comments were received. The budget was also on the agenda of the board's meeting on Oct. 1 - the first day of the fiscal year - but its adoption was tabled then.

Alderman Jack Haney (at large), following the Oct. 8 vote, said he hoped cash flow would cover the city budget and asked to see a cash flow summary. He also said he thought the amount of borrowing was out of ratio with income, and that he was not for borrowing money from the Water Department to pave streets in the city.

Although Alderman Dan Burchfield insisted, "This city is going to be financially sound," Haney said there was a delayed reaction to spending.

Other Meetings

Steve Wells, city emergency management director, met with the board on Oct. 8 concerning a grant application for an early warning system. The board voted to apply for three emergency sirens through the FEMA program, which requires a 25 percent match.

The board also approved a final tax exemption order for Hawkeye Glove.

On Oct. 1, aldermen accepted a bid of $31,200 from Double J Timber of Maben for the right to cut advertised timber on the north end of the airport. The timber is being cut to meet FAA regulations limiting tree height there to 60 feet; the area will be fenced in afterwards

The motion also directed that the revenue be placed in a 90-day CD. Additionally, aldermen agreed to donate $1,000 from the income to the Webster County Career and Technology Center for the Forest Harvesting and Production Class, which cruised the timber at the site and at Brantley Park under the direction of instructor Buck Meek.

The board accepted updated court fines and increased assessments in line with new state amounts. Hardin said every ticket would be going up an average of $10-$15.

During department head reports, Police Chief Gregg Hunter reported that Street Department Director Charles Ray had posted a sign at Whites Creek Lake informing the public of fish slot limits and boat-launching fees.

Also, according to the discussion, $126 had been collected in less than two weeks from the honor box at the lake and the city had sold a number of annual and lifetime fishing permits at the lake as of then

The board had voted in September to authorize the mayor to set fish slot limits as regulated by state law. Aldermen agreed then that the Police Department would begin enforcing the current ordinance requiring fees be paid by fishermen.