ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
Hillsboro residents will pay slightly more for their electricity following the city council’s approval of 1.6 percent rate increase at its Oct. 17 meeting.
The bump, which raises the rate from 9 cents to 9.15 cents per kilowatt, means a household that was paying $200 for a month’s electricity would pay $203.20.
In other matters, council members heard the results of a survey that reviewed storm-siren coverage in the city.
The north and west sides of town were found to be lacking in adequate coverage. City Administrator Steve Garrett said adding one siren and adjusting the location of another should rectify the situation.
The council discussed and eventually passed Personnel Policy 75, which states: “It will be the policy of the Hillsboro City Council to accept the final determination of the city insurer on all claims.”
The policy was drawn up to give the council a guide for considering insurance claims that have been brought to the council after they have been denied by the city insurer.
In other business, the council:
— authorized Mayor Delores Dalke, who was absent from the meeting, to sign papers related to a loan agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for street renovation project along South Adams. The loan limit is $373,000.
— approved a pay estimate from Carrothers Construction of $44,268 for work completed in the construction of the Family Aquatic Center, and a pay estimate of $893 from Burbach Aquatics Inc. for work completed on the same project.
— approved pay estimates of $187,981 from Utility Contractors Inc. and $6,500 for EBH & Associates for work completed at the water-treatment plant renovation project.
— heard from Garrett that leakage from the city garbage truck should be significantly reduced now that a tailgate seal has been replaced and a hole in the floorboard has been fixed.
