News

A quarter per hour pay increase for city employees was approved for inclusion in the 2005-2006 McKenzie budget by unanimous vote of the City Council during regular session on Thursday, April 28.

Councilmember Jill Holland questioned whether the budget could sustain salary increases given the need to raise water and property tax rates, as well as unresolved water and sewer issues.

Mayor Walter Winchester said, however, "We've been able to keep our heads above water through March according to income statements. We've done a decent job of collecting taxes and state-shared revenue has come in so we can do it without going into reserve funds."

The budget also benefited from the deposit into the general fund in excess of $1 million from the former indigent (hospital) care fund.

Said Councilmember Willie Huffman, "I think we're very fortunate to give a raise... That says a lot about the way things have been handled, I think." His sentiments were echoed by council members Darra Adkins and Jerry Arthur.

The council approved payment of $2,637.11 to Generator Power Systems for repair of the generator at City Hall which was struck by lightening.

Adkins suggested installing a lightening rod on the building, noting that lightening had previously damaged communications equipment in the building.

"It's happened twice in four years," said Public Works Superintendent Joe Curtis, who further noted, "Last time it happened he (of Power Generator Systems) said it was a very uncommon thing to happen."

"I'll try to call him and ask him," said Winchester.

May is "Clean-up and Paint-up" month, Winchester announced. In addition to street-side pick-up at no additional charge, the Barker Brothers transfer station on Highway 22 will be open Saturday, May 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., for "free drop day."

"Tires, compressors, and paint cans are not permitted for us to pick up and they will not accept them there," noted Winchester. He also requested that like items be grouped in order to facilitate pick-up.

Adkins mentioned that citizens need to be reminded not to place refuse next to utility poles or in ditches.

"They've got to make a choice," she said. "If you want to get it picked up, you've got to put it where they can get to it."

Concerning the Festival of Freedom event, scheduled this year for the weekend of July 1 and 2, Winchester said the city had secured a small group of carnival rides and games as well as a band to perform Saturday, July 2.

He noted the event was scheduled for the weekend to give city employees a break and because "a lot of people like to go to the lake for the giant fireworks there."

Holland advised that members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee hoped next year to return the event to July 4. She noted none of the committee members attend the display at Paris Landing, to which he had referred, and that they felt people wanted to observe the holiday on the 4th.

Said Winchester, "It's on Tuesday next year so we'll keep that in mind."

In other communications, Winchester said rain had slowed construction efforts on fencing at Mulberry Park. Nevertheless, he noted that before games were rained out Saturday, "It looked good down there; the new fence was shining and with new playground equipment."

Arthur said curbs and gutters were being repaired on Walnut and Curtis noted the initial surface would be applied to the road the second week of May.

Huffman said he and City Clerk Charlie Beal had been working on next year's budget and "it's coming along." Winchester said the first reading and a public hearing on the new budget would be held May 26 with the second reading during the first regular meeting in June (June 9) "so we can get it passed and behind us." Amendments to the current budget, he added, would be presented by the last meeting in June (June 23).

Concerning four properties scheduled for demolition between May 2 and June 2, Winchester said the city had sent registered letters to the owners and "some have responded and some not." Public notice was also published in The McKenzie Banner concerning the properties which were noted to "have been found to be in an unsafe, unsanitary, or dangerous condition." Costs of the demolition would be carried as a lien against the real properties.

"Out of town, out of mind," Winchester said, concerning at least two of the landowners whose address were listed in Gibson, Tenn. and Decatur, Ga. "It's amazing how fast deterioration accumulates every year on a building that's vacant," he added, noting all the properties had been vacant for some time and that some were "falling in."

Scheduled for demolition are the following properties: (1) 335 Elm Street: owner - Richard Henson, PO Box 246, Gibson; (2) 320 Highway 423: owner - Mary Kate Edwards, 4200 Archer Tri, Decatur, GA; (3) 156 Barksdale Ave: owner - Jeremy Blaylock, 156 Barksdale Ave in McKenzie; and (4) Highway 423, Map011, parcel 72.00: owner - Phil Marshall, c/0 Joe Marshall, PO Box 653, McKenzie.

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