Officials reiterated Monday that no members of the Poplar Bluff City Council have a conflict of interest related to the possible purchase of Northwest Medical Center for a new city hall, police station and city court.
The topic was brought up during the public comment period of the council's regular meeting.
The council voted in August to pursue a contract for the Barron Road office complex. No contract has been made public at this time, and no date has been set for the council to vote on the document.
Council members Ron Black and Philip Crocker have previously denied any conflict related to their relationships with a bank and medical facility, respectively. Neither are affiliated with Focus Bank, which is a majority owner of Northwest, or the Northwest facility, they have said.
Mayor pro tem Susan McVey, a State Farm insurance agent, holds property insurance for the shell of the Northwest building and individual condos within the building. Condos are owned separately from the shell of the complex. She has insured portions of the building for approximately 19 years, McVey said.
"I do not have a conflict of interest. I have no vested interest in that building," McVey told resident Jim Chrisman, who raised the matter Monday.
City attorney Mark Richardson also said Tuesday morning the relationship is not an issue.
"It' not even in the realm of a conflict of interest whatsoever," Richardson said. "She's going to lose a customer."
McVey said she would receive no financial gain from the sale of the Northwest building. Financial gain is what would make the relationship a conflict of interest, she said.
"I lose money in the sale because I no longer will insure the property," McVey said this morning. "I will not insure any property owned by the city. I have confirmed with my attorney and the city attorney Mark (Richardson) there is no conflict of interest with the pending sale of this property."
The city has begun the process of securing $8 million in financing for the establishment of new city offices.
Council members have said the purchase price would be approximately $3.5 million. Another $4.3 million could be needed for renovations, some council members have said.
Chrisman also questioned city manager Mark Massingham about the 2017 and 2018 city budgets.
A deficit of $238,000 has been budgeted from the general fund for the current fiscal year, Massingham said. He hopes the deficit will be less by the end of the year, he said.
His goal for 2018 would be a balanced budget, Massingham said.
"I'm currently working on the budget ... but I just don't know," Massingham said. "Sales tax is kind of flat this year, and it's our main source of revenue."
In other business, the city council heard a request from the owner of Tattitude Studios to change city ordinances related to the tattooing of minors.
The current policy forbids tattooing anyone under the age of 18, according to the discussion.
The business owner asked that the policy be changed to allow tattoos with the consent of a parent or guardian, which he said would be in line with state law.
Mayor Ed DeGaris said the city would research the matter.
The council voted to:
* Lease farmland adjacent to the Poplar Bluff airport to Michael Nelson for the fee of $1 per year for a term of 31 years. The lease may be terminated by either party with 180 days written notice.
* Rezone property at 3211 N. Westwood from rural residential and general residential to general commercial. The property is owned by Larry Hillis Dodge.
* Annex unincorporated property at 2848 Kanell Blvd., into the city. The property is owned by Larry and Jan Rommel.