Deficit budget passes Poplar Bluff City Council for 2020

Poplar Bluff City Council members approved a budget Monday that cuts two part-time positions, rather than three, and still includes deficit spending.

The individuals involved have not been informed of the cuts, said city manager Mark Massingham, explaining he could not name the positions Monday.

Some savings was accomplished by reducing a full-time position at the Black River Coliseum to a part-time position, with the resignation of a pool manager, he explained to council members, prior to the vote.

Those duties will now be shared by two part-time staff members, reducing both salary and benefit expenses.

One part-time position originally cut, in the animal control department, was added back to the budget because of these changes, Massingham said.

The city still anticipates a close to $300,000 deficit in 2020.

Massingham has said officials will try again in April to pass a use tax on certain internet purchases.

If the measure fails, the city may need to look at further cuts, he said.

“I’m still adamant about the use tax and how that would take care of budget problems this year,” Massingham said.

Council member Ed DeGaris suggested the use of 12-hour shifts at the police department, rather than eight-hour shifts, may need to be reconsidered. It costs the city an additional $70,000 a year to cover differential pay, DeGaris said during the meeting.

Several council members thanked Massingham and city department leaders for their work to find cuts in the budget.

“I appreciate Mr. Massingham working with this and getting it closer to a balanced budget for us. I know he’s spent a lot of time … and continued to do so since the last meeting,” said council member at-large Ron Black.

The employees are what make the city operate, Massingham said, adding he appreciates their cooperation and hard work.

Approximately $12.4 million in general fund spending is planned, with just over $5 million of that at the police department. Approximately $2.4 million and $1.3 million would go to the fire and street departments respectively.

In other business, the council:

• Conducted a public hearing to close out a nearly $337,000 community block development grant received from the state to fund a new roof for Rodgers Theatre. Rodgers Theatre, Inc., contributed approximately $49,000 to the project.

Work has been completed, said city planner Matt Winters, explaining the city applied for the grant on behalf of the theater.

• Moved a request to the Jan. 6 voting agenda from the Liszewski Law Firm to rezone 462 N. Main St., from RD-1 residential duplex to O-1 office professional to operate an attorney’s office. It would be a slight shift in the area, which includes residential and single family homes, Winters said. There are other law firms in the same block, and staff recommend the change, he said.

• Moved a request to the Jan. 6 voting agenda regarding the number of members of the residential housing advisory board, adding a citizen at large. The board currently has as members the city planner, code enforcement manager, a member of the Butler County Landlords Association and a council member.