Town council approves budget

Editor’s Note: Taken from Malta City Clerk Lorie Bond’s minutes.

The City Council of Malta has given final approval on the 2016-17 budget and a total of 205 mills will be levied at $2,253.66, totaling property tax revenues in the new budget at $462,000.30.

During the Communications portion of the meeting, Malta Mayor Shyla Jones informed the council that two travel trailers which had been parked illegally in City limits had been moved. She said that the Hi-Line Foundation's request for a street closure for Oktoberfest had been canceled, as the event will now be held indoors at the Lucky Bullet Hole.

During the Departments Reports, Malta Public Works Director Jim Truelove informed the council Dayla Kelsey of the Works Crew is being trained on and now operating the grader and is doing a good job. Truelove said that the Works Crew has cut back on mosquito spraying because of the cooling temperatures and would most likely be completely done spraying by the time the PCN goes to press. The City Pool – and the bath house – have both been winterized for the year.

During the Clerk reports, Malta City Clerk Lorie Bond let the council know that upcoming City Council meetings need to have their dates changed in November and December because of Election Day and Christmas. Mayor Jones added that the council meeting near Christmas is usually canceled, as there isn’t much business to handle at that time. Last in meeting changes, the City Council meeting for Tuesday, October 11, has been changed to Thursday, October 13.

During Bond’s report, it was decided that a party will be held for retiring City Crew members Tim Hasler and Bob Kapp on Wednesday, September 28 from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Mayor Jones informed Council that things are progressing with the water project but added there are still issues with getting the required amount of compaction tests completed.

At the final Malta City Council meeting in August, Clerk Bond informed Council that the City Park and Rec Department will host a youth soccer league and added that over 100 children were already signed-up to play.

During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Malta’s Lynette Ereaux proposed the Malta Skatepark be named the ‘Stang Skate Park' and showed Council a few potential logos that a friend from Big Sandy had worked up for her. Mayor Jones stated that the skate park was already named Hillcrest Skate Park. Mayor Jones reported that a name was needed when the city applied for the skate park rider on its insurance policy and the park was given the name Hillcrest Skate Park at that time. After much discussion about who uses the skate park and the suggested name change,Mayor Jones stated that she would check with the insurance company and see if it was even possible to change the name of the skate park. Mayor Jones thanked Mrs. Ereaux for presenting her skate park name suggestion to Council.

During the New Business portion of the meeting, Resolution 1221 was passed which increases camping fees at Trafton Park from $3 per night to $5 per night.

During Department Reports, Director Truelove informed the council that he received a quote of $36,465 for a new bathroom for Hillcrest Park near the Skatepark. The price includes all of the plumbing and the new bathroom will have a drinking fountain on the outside of the building all the city crew has to do is prep the site where it will be installed. Mayor Jones asked Public Works Director Truelove to order the new bathroom in February.