HOISINGTON — The city of Hoisington is facing major infrastructure upgrades, including city sewage lagoons that are short-circuiting, causing problems with under treated sewage. In light of that issue as well as other infrastructure upgrades needed such as a leaking swimming pool, the Hoisington City Council discussed at its meeting on Monday, adding a one cent sales tax for items purchased in Hoisington.
The city does not have enough time to get the issue on the August ballot, but can get it up for vote on the November ballot. If it passed, it would be the middle of 2015 before the revenue stream would begin, according to City Manager Jonathan Mitchell.
Council members were against raising property tax, which is a tax assessed only on property owners or electricity rates. Council Member Brian Wilborn said, “Sales tax is the most fair.”
Council Member Chris Smith agreed, saying, “You’re not just putting tax on property owners.”
The council is seeking input from community residents who should contact city council members or Mitchell. The item was tabled.
Swimming Pool
In other business, the council discussed the city swimming pool. It has not opened due to 15 leaks in the concrete and was loosing about a foot of water per day.
Mitchell said that the patches and caulking of the seams is completed. The pool has to be painted with a special epoxy pool paint which takes a week to cure. The city manager said they hope to paint on Friday, which is a requirement to keep the patches from leaking again. It will take one week for the paint to cure.
The good news was there were no leaks in the plumbing.
Residents pay for entrance to the pool through the city water bill.
The city hopes to fill the pool and be ready to open the week of July 7, but staff has to make sure the pool will hold water.
Mitchell said he looked for grants for new pools, but found nothing but small, local grants.
Code Enforcement Officer Don Doerschlag gave a report on the property of 178 S. Walnut. He said all of the required improvements have been made to the property, including the removal of debris from the back yard and completion of a new front porch.
The council was appreciative of the efforts of owner Tigie Stephens in completing the requirements.