Mt. Vernon aldermen OK rezone, two city annexes

Board gets update on search for next Mt. Vernon city administrator
 
The Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen passed three ordinances during their meeting on Tuesday, July 27, and received an update on the applicant search for city administrator.

The first ordinance changed the zoning designation of a 31-acre tract of land from residential to agricultural, which had been requested by the landowner. The board voted to change the zoning designation during their meeting on July 13; the ordinance made the change official.
The other two ordinances authorized the annexing of real property into the city. One ordinance annexed a 49-acre tract of land owned by Wilmoth Oil with a zoning designation of B-3, while the other annexed the Jones Chapel Memorial with a zoning designation as city/government property.

Applicants for city administrator position:
Springer told the board that the city had received seven resumes from applicants interested in the city administrator position. The board voted to have the city’s Personnel Committee interview the applicants and then have their top three choices appear before the board. Springer will retire as city administrator at the end of the year.

Gold Class approved:
At the suggestion of Max Springer, city administrator, the board approved sending one or two city employees to the Gold Class, a leadership course for community leaders held at Missouri State University. Springer said the course objective is to “develop a network of communication, cooperation, and community building know-how across the private, public and nonprofit sectors to foster civic engagement, regional awareness, community development, and economic growth in Southwest Missouri.” The classes meet once a month, beginning in October and running through next June, and cost $795.

In other business:
The board approved a payment of $11,939.02 to Sprouls Construction, Inc. The payment was the final one for the Spirit of ’76 restrooms project, and $8,700 for the purchase of a new six-inch flow meter for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The board also approved a change in the timeline of the city’s electric bill. Earlier, the city would receive an estimated bill from the Southwest Missouri Public Energy Pool which would later be trued up. With the change in the timeline, the bill will now be the actual amount.
Finally, the board approved the appointment of Danny Bowling to the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board.