Published: April 20, 2009 11:52 pm      

Rossville approves spending

ROSSVILLE — On the heels of approving a deficit budget for fiscal year 2010, the village board approved the spending on two capital expenditures Monday night.

The board approved a budget showing $276,000 in expenses for the new fiscal year which begins May 1. This compares with a spending plan of $256,000 in the current year.

Projected revenues are expected to be about $246,000. The shortfall will be made out of village reserves, according to Mayor Terry Prillaman.

Board members approved the purchase of a 2009 Bobcat Compact Excavator for $30,289 from Bobcat of Lafayette, Ind. The price includes a trade-in of a 1993 Case 480 tractor worth $7,500.

The other capital purchase needed a tie-breaking vote by the mayor to gain approval.

A proposal from the police/health and safety committee to purchase a new police car was met with some resistance.

Trustee Richard Queen questioned the need to buy another new police car when the village just took possession of a new Dodge Durango last August for the police department.

“We have two back-up cars, both are 2002 Dodge Intrepids, that are not in good condition,” said Police Chief William Shannon. “They are requiring a lot of repairs to keep them on the road.”

Queen questioned the need for two back-up cars.

“There really is no need for two,” said Shannon. “We can sell one of them. But we did buy both of the back-up cars in 2002 used from other police departments.”

With Queen and Trustee Charles Cornell voting against and Trustees Bunny Tweedy and Nancy Null voting in favor of the purchase, Prillaman cast the deciding vote.

Trustees Tom Gregory and Mary Beth Rhodes were absent.

The 2009 Ford Crown Victoria will be purchased from Ottawa Ford- Lincoln- Mercury of Ottawa for $25,720. Shannon said the price was less than the village could purchase through the state purchasing plan.

Trustees approved putting the two back-up police cars up for bid.

In other action, trustees:

-- Agreed to look at a proposal from Affiliated Power Purchasers Inc. of Salisbury, Md., for a two-year agreement to purchase electricity. APPI is an electricity broker. Prillaman said if the village purchases its electricity through APPI the village could save seven percent or more on its electricity bill, which could be a savings of $1,400 to the village.

-- Approved the signed purchase agreement and redevelopment agreement with Alan Zawarus of Hoopeston to purchase the village-owned buildings at 115-117 E. Attica St.. Zawarus intends to open a restaurant in the buildings.

-- Approved the reappointment of Jason Sprague to the zoning board and the appointment of Kevin Young to the zoning board.



WHAT’S NEXT

The Rossville Village Board will meet in special session at 7 p.m. April 30 at the Rossville Municipal Building to swear in newly elected board members.