In Butler City Council news, the Bates County Commission is working toward establishment of an "Enhanced Enterprise Zone" for the county, and since this would be for all the cities and communities in the county, the Commission has asked Butler to adopt a resolution to that effect for its participation.
It's rather standard in counties all over Missouri, and would replace the Enterprise Zone which the city of Butler had until it expired in 2008. Basically, it would allow tax credits and property tax abatements for new businesses locating anywhere in the county, rather than for one city alone.
The County has hired a KBRPC representative to prepare the application to be submitted to the Missouri Department of Economic Development. This is a good move, to encourage new business and industry for our area.
The Butler City Council's Industrial Marketing Commission has recommended that Butler participate, and asked that if electric rate incentives are offered by Butler, that they be considered for BOTH new and existing businesses.
As Butler grows, West Butler has taken the lead, and that ultimately means rezoning of some areas. The one being considered now is West Fort Scott Street between Rice Road and Prospect Avenue, and about eight property owners living there, attended a hearing, wondering how this would affect their residential properties. A public hearing is set for the June 19th City Council meeting, concerning rezoning that area from R-2, to C-3, which would change it from a residential to a commercial area.
Concerning that one-eighth of one percent tax to keep up Fire Department equipment...that will be voted on in the August 7th elections. And remember...this is not a raise of this tax, which will run out June 30th. The measure required a new ordinance to be passed, and would take effect January first. It's part of our sales tax. It will be on the ballot August 7th.
The City has let two employees go...one at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a labor position for the Water Distribution/Sewer Collection System, which will cut city costs by almost 70-thousand dollars per year.
The City Council needs to update its current franchise regulations, particularly concerning its charge to our cable company. The franchise fee, which covers such things as using city lines, will raise from two percent, to five percent, based on their income from services to viewers. They have 90 days in which to discuss this with the Council.
There have been complaints from residents near the City Park, that loud noises from use of park facilities like the basketball court, are keeping folks awake past the designated hours. It boils down to the fact that the rules that are already in place, have to be followed. Those hours are for no activities there, from midnight to sunrise. For the moment, the word is that current regulations have to be more strongly enforced.
And a local resident has talked to the Council about rules on sewer lines. The city code requires connection to city sewer lines at the property owner's expense, if the property line is within 100 feet of the city sewer line. This particular property is about 225 feet from one line, and about 191 feet from another. Obviously, the city code allows septic systems in this case.
That's the word from the Butler City Council....you're welcome to attend any meeting. They're held the first and third Tuesday nights of the month upstairs at City Hall, at seven p.m. Be on time, as the entrance door on the west side of the building is locked at seven.
-story by FM 92 the Bullet
