Light Plant and City Budget Public Hearings Set for October 8

The Lamar City Council has a brief agenda set for this evening’s meeting, Monday, October 8, following their 6pm work session.  The work session will review the city’s personnel management manual. 

Agenda items include a public hearing regarding the council’s review of the 2013 operating and capital budget.  Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh will present the light plant’s annual budget to the council for any discussion.  Copies of the proposed budgets are available for review by the public in the City Clerk’s office.

 The council will decide if the city employee Wellness Fund will be funded.  The city’s insurance committee set up two incentives for employees which offer financial bonuses for participation in the form of deductions in their deductible payments and a bonus if employee health goals have been met which can be used to pay for medical expenses.  The council will also decide if it wants to employ a consulting firm to determine if employee’s salaries and compensations are able to be increased, given the current financial state of the city.

 City Administrator, John Sutherland, will review several items for the council including Willow Creek Levee Issues and FEMA Flood Plain Maps, property issues involving Walmart, D & G Subdivison and Camino de Santa Fe, the city’s Health Insurance Renewal, information from a follow up meeting with Lamar Prowers County Volunteer Fire Department and ARRA Loans and State Funding for city Water Projects. 

The council will also review and consider approval of an oil and gas lease proposed by Gourley Irrigation LLC.  An executive session has also been planned regarding negotiations and strategy for an issue under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e).

By Russ Baldwin