Bethany Council Receives Presentation On Refinancing Street Bonds

Bethany’s Board of Aldermen received a presentation from a representative of a company interested in refinancing callable 2015 series bonds for the city. During Monday’s council meeting, Jon Benson of First Bankers’ Banc Securities told the council that the city has an opportunity to restructuring debt and save between $10,000 to $15,000 dollars per year that could amount to $134,000 over a 10-year period. The bonds were sold for 2015 street financing. The city plans to review the information presented for another two weeks before they make a decision.

Bethany Fire Chief Dave Kinnison provided changes he would like see implemented within the department at the request. That information was presented Monday night. That list included providing EMT training for Fire Department members. The council did approve spending up to $2,000 for such training between now and the end of the year. Some of the other changes will require budget considerations. He does intend to hold a Haz-Mat awareness and operations class late in the year and will reschedule a Firefighter 1 class next year. He also suggested the city consider increased staffing for the Fire Department in the future.

A public hearing that is part of the process to disband the Bethany 136 Community Improvement District. The city agreed to make a $235,000 principal payment on the city’s USDA’s loan that comes from the funding collected by a $15 sewer plant fee. The move is a move to save interest paid.

City Hall and the Bethany Chamber of Commerce will both administer the December Shop Local event this December. That event is a promotion that provides incentives to shop locally during the December holiday season.

The city also plans to start a review of the People Service contract for water and waste water services. That contract will expire in August of 2021.