HOISINGTON — The Hoisington City Council, after an executive session, voted to purchase the property at 169 S. Main for a price up to $2500 for back taxes. City Manager Jonathan Mitchell explained that is was on the sheriff’s sale for back taxes. The city wanted to keep the building available for a retail building.
The city will also make improvements to the old Detter building. The improvements will be paid for through a Community Improvement District. The Detter building is next to the old Duckwall’s building. A 20 foot hole will be cut in the wall to connect the two buildings, and the rear wall will be repaired.
In other business, one resident was present to speak about the cost of his electric bill. He suggested some ways to make the rates go down, such as no purchasing new equipment.
Mitchell explained that they city has downsized and said that staff has been cut.
The city has held meetings on the electric rates explaining how they are derived. Mitchell explained the rolling average on the electric bills. What it means is that it is the actual cost of providing electricity to residents is averaged over a 12-month period. Because the fuel is higher in the summer, the average was developed so that there was not a huge difference in what the customers pay throughout the year.
In other business, the city accepted the resignation of Don Gordon. Replacement candidates will be considered.
The council approved the 2010 city audit.
The council approved a measure to allow Kans for Kids to do some fundraising. Kans for Kids will auction off a week where an individual can fly a school flag, such as K-State below the American flag on the city flagpole. The city decided the school flag must be smaller than the American flag.
In final business, the council:
•Approved a cereal malt beverage license application for Hoisington Main Street Inc.
•Approved a cereal malt beverage consumption permit for the ATV Rodeo in October.
•Approved a cereal malt beverage consumption permit for the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 18 for their volunteer dinner appreciation.
•Accepted board appointments by the mayor.
