Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-10 MINUTES OF COUNCIL DECEMBER 10, 2002 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on December 10, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Watkins gave the invocation. Upon roll call the following Councilmembers answered present: Jim Cargill, R.L. Carpenter, Robert Ford, Gerald Gaither, Jim Mitchum, Jerry Pectol, Paula Terrell and Jim Watkins. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and the City Attorney Scott Stalker. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Councilmember Cargill seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended. Councilmember Gaither seconded and all voted for. CONSIDER GRANT FROM ARKANSAS HIGHWAY & TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Mayor Biard said that the County has released to the City a $200,000 grant from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to enhance and lengthen the Riverwalk The City's portion will be $54,000. The council instructed the Mayor to accept the grant but not to take the city's match out of reserves. The council was in agreement to cut the budget in other areas to pay for the match and keep the 2003 budget balanced. CONSIDER THE 2003 BUDGET The council discussed the proposed 2003 budget. They were given two different budgets to consider. One included a 3%pay increase and the other a 5%pay raise for city employees. The Mayor also asked the council to consider giving the employees a pay incentive of$300 for full time employees and $150 for part time employees since they did not receive a pay increase this year. Mayor Biard said the incentive pay would cost about $20,000 and could be paid out of the levee refund that the city received. After a lengthy discussion, Councilmember Cargill moved to approve a 3%pay increase and to wait until the next meeting to adopt the budget. Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for. They also decided not to give the employees a pay incentive. CANCEL DECEMBER 24TH MEETING Councilmember Cargill moved to cancel the December 24th council meeting and Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for. There being no further business, Councilmember Terrell moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Gaither seconded and all voted for. JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK