(Posted Nov. 30, 2018)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
Next year, the village of West Jefferson will operate on a budget of $2 million less than it did this year.
The reason: the village’s water plant improvements are nearly complete. The project accounted for $4 million of the budget in 2018.
“We don’t have any projects of that scale projected for 2019,” said Rebecca Arnott, finance director.
On Nov. 19, village council unanimously approved a budget of $9 million for 2019. The ordinance was approved on the first reading. Council President Steve Johnston said budget details were worked out in committee sessions and special council meetings prior to the vote.
Council approved pay rates for village employees, including a 3 percent cost of living raise. Pay rates for the following positions remain unchanged: mayor, $14,000 per year; clerk of council, $300 per meeting; council president, $175 per meeting; council vice president, $150 per meeting; and council members, s$125 per meeting.
The budget and pay rates take effect Jan. 1, 2019.
In other business, council:
* authorized the issuance of $1 million of a special obligation income tax revenue note for work on State Route 29. The ordinance was deemed an emergency, and council approved it unanimously.
* approved vacating an unnamed alley between Twin and West streets. The unanimous vote came after a public hearing at which no one spoke.
* authorized Mayor Ray Martin to contract with Choice One Engineering for $14,700 for engineering work on next year’s road paving projects. The village plans to repave North Franklin and South Franklin streets and Pearl Street between Garfield Avenue to Chester Street. The budget for the work is $258,000.
