(Posted Feb. 23, 2017)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The city of London has earmarked $700,000 for capital improvements this year, including street repairs, equipment purchases, and a new police canine unit.
On Feb. 16, council approved the transfer of $425,000 from the general fund to the capital improvement fund to help cover the $700,000 in expenses.
Every month, the city puts 10 percent of its income tax collections into the capital improvement fund. The transfer will supplement those available funds.
“Our general fund has been generally inflated for over a year,” said council member Rex Castle about the city’s ability to make the transfer.
Council also approved the fire department’s plan for $95,000 in capital improvements for this year. A separate fire levy covers the department’s expenses.
The city’s 2017 capital projects are as follows:
• Street Department
– Sealing Madison Road, Oak Street, Liberty Street, and Logan Avenue, $350,000;
– Full depth asphalt repairs, $25,000;
– Crack-sealing roads throughout the city, $50,000;
– Pick-up truck purchase, $47,000;
– Salt spreader purchase, $8,000.
• Police Department
– Software purchase for computer aided dispatch, $120,000;
– Unmarked vehicle purchase, $20,000
– Establishing a canine unit, including a dog, training, and a vehicle, $60,000.
The canine unit will help the department to better address drug-related crime, Castle said.
• Parks and Recreation
– Various expenses, $20,000.
Mayor Patrick Closser said the department likely would put $10,000 into swimming pool projects and $5,000 into upgrades at Cowling Park.
• Fire Department
– Six contained breathing apparatus, the final phase of a three-year replacement project, $40,000;
– Ten sets of turnout gear, $30,000; and
– Gera extractor and dryer, $25,000.
Castle praised the city’s department heads for tailoring their requests to meet goals set by the administration and finance committee.
