By Eloria Newell James
ELLISVILLE - The Ellisville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday night, March 17 to make some personnel changes and approve some budgeting matters and zoning issues.
Ellisville Mayor Lynn Buckhaults and the Board of Aldermen handled several items designed to bring improvements to the city of Ellisville during its meeting.
With little discussion, the board agreed to approve a variance that could pave the way for a new business in the city. Mayor Buckhaults and officials discussed the need to approve a variance on a piece of property, which would ultimately allow A & B Car Wash to locate within the city. According to officials, the business coming to Ellisville “hinges on the variance.” Based on the board’s discussion, a variance of 10 feet was needed to allow the business to locate on the designated lot. Officials said the variance would not affect any of the other businesses in the area and would allow the car wash to build and operate on the property near Auto Zone.
In a separate matter, the board agreed to make some changes in the Ellisville Police Department. Police Chief Bruce Russell recommended that the board eliminate two part-time positions in the police department and create one full-time position. The board voted to make the change and agreed to hire Samantha Dies as a deputy court clerk on a six month probationary period. Russell said the two part-time people would go back to the EPD’s reserve roster. The change is expected to allow the department to operate more efficiently and reduce some of its overtime cost.
In another matter, the board agreed to approve a step raise for Charles Jernigan in the city’s Public Works Department. The mayor said Jernigan passed the wastewater exam in February and has “been a super employee and a benefit to the city.” The board agreed to grant the step raise.
In a separate matter, the board voted to approve a water bill adjustment based on the city’s policy, which has been in effect for about nine month. The board voted to grant a water leak adjustment to Kevin Clark, who told the board that he had a leak at 420 Jefferson Street that caused his bill to go up to over $1,000. In June 2019, the board approved a water leak adjustment policy for the city.
Mayor Buckhaults said the policy would allow the city to handle these matters uniformly.
“Some rural water associations don’t adjust and some do,” the mayor said. “State law dictates we can’t give away water.”
Based on the formula proposed, city officials said the property owner would be given some relief, but the city cannot take on the full amount because the city has already incurred some cost involving water production and treatment.
Buckhaults said according to an Attorney General’s opinion, “anytime you adjust a water bill it has to come before the board.”
Clark said the leak had been found and fixed.
Following some discussion, the aldermen voted Tuesday to approve a water bill adjustment of $206.19 for Kevin Clark at the 420 Jefferson Street property.
The mayor explained to residents that the board only grants one adjustment within a five-year period.
Also, upon the recommendation of the city administration, the aldermen unanimous approved several budget amendments to the 2019-2020 city budget.
In other business, Thomas Phillips and Thomas Hardy talked to the board about a drainage issue on their properties. The board also approved a lease agreement with the masonic lodge regarding extra parking for the city and approved a lease agreement with Twice The Ice, which has a machine located within the city.