Bethany Council Continues Budget Deliberations

Bethany Board of Alderman continued their review of budget requests during their second November council meeting Monday night. Specifically, The Board reviewed requests by the Bethany Parks and Recreation Department and discussed the costs and pricing of some capital outlay items. The council did request that a representative of the park board come to their next meeting. The city council plans to approve the budget during their second December meeting.

Council members also approved a bid from Nail Excavating for work to be done for water mains at 25th and Alder and Water Plant Drive that are part of the city’s 2022 water main project.

City Administrator Jacob Taylor announced in his report that the Shop Local 2021 will begin on the day after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s Eve. It will be a contest sponsored by the Bethany Chamber of Commerce. First place will be a $500 gift card, and second place will include a $250 gift card. There will be also other prizes. City Hall staff will accept receipts and make tallies for the chamber’s drawing that will be held on January 7th.

The city plans to include the costs of 100 trash cans in the budget that may be used by city residents. The city may also use money from the city’s Solid Waste Fund for a land purchase for a future site of a bio-waste site.

The council seemed to agree to the cost for a security door going to the bathrooms and break room at Bethany City Hall. They rejected the request to build a new brick and mortar wall for the front desk area.

The council voted against participating in the Missouri Low Income Water Assistance Program. Jeff Arp of the MIRMA was present to present a grant to fund a dashcam for the Bethany Police Department.

The Mayor’s Angel Tree will be available from November 24th through December 10th. Donations and/or gifts are due by December 10th. The Parent pick up will be held from 9am until 11am on December 18th.

Bethany’s Christmas In The Park Event will be held on Saturday, December 4th at Bethany’s Memorial Park.

Mayor Lance Johns will be flipping the light switch to turn on the Christmas lights in the park.