New Fire Truck in Hannibal’s Future After Budget Concerns Extinguished

Timing is everything, as the Hannibal City Council proved Tuesday night. 

The council voted to spend $456,000 for a new fire engine, after tabling the original request last month.

The first request was tabled August 5 due to budget uncertainty stemming from proposed tax cuts in the Missouri Legislature. City Manager Jeff LaGarce says the tax exemptions would have resulted in a revenue shortfall estimated between $550,000 and $826,000. Governor Nixon vetoed the cuts, but the unknown factor was what the Legislature would do during the September 10 veto override session. LaGarce says fortunately most of the tax exemptions were not enacted; giving the city enough confidence to go ahead with the fire truck purchase. However, he cautions the tax cuts could be reintroduced during the new legislative session.

In other business, the council voted to accept a $10,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation for various watering tools for the city’s tree program. The program will ensure adequate water for hundreds of trees transplanted from the city tree farm to various locations beginning in 2016.

HPD’s K-9 “Charger” was officially retired due to declining health after the council voted to release ownership to his trainer, Corporal Alex Grote.

Second and Final Readings were given to Bills:

• Adopting the 2014 city property tax levy of just over $1.14 per $100 assessed value.
• Approving final environmental covenants with the Missouri DNR pertaining to flood buyout property located at 623 South Main Street.
• Authorizing a contract with Jviation for airport improvements at just over $55,000.

Road closures for special events were approved:

• Broadway at Grand to the riverfront on October 14 for the 66^th Annual Band Day Parade.
• 10^th and Broadway to Main Street on October 20 for the 2^nd annual Paint Hannibal Pink Parade.