Water tower repair authorized

The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a bid of $5,120 to have the mildew removed from the water tower during their regular meeting held Jan. 15 at city hall.

Chief of Police Jim Wycoff inquired about having 25 mile per hour speed limit signs installed on East Berry by the dog pound, as there are none located in the area. Also the city limit sign on MM coming into Gallatin had been vandalized and needed to be fixed.

The board agreed to have Roger Loxterman install the new speed limit signs and repair or replace the one vandalized.

Alderman Schweizer asked Chief Wycoff about a call he’d gone on recently concerning a loose dog. Chief Wycoff said the dog was usually chained up.

Chief Wycoff stated that he had been driving by Wilbur Bush’s house four or five times daily, and has not seen any dogs in the area. Mr. Bush was on the agenda for Monday night’s council meeting and was not informed of the correct meeting change. Deputy City Clerk Acree apologized for not informing him of the change and said she would call Mr. Bush.

Mrs. Acree stated that Scott Stephens, city auditor, would be in next week to start the yearly audit. General discussion was held on daily operations of city hall.

The board approved a motion to run an ad for city administrator/city clerk.

Alderman Griffin stated she had spoken with Dave Tolen with Green Hills Regional Planning Commission about needing a voting member at the January meeting and at the January RDI meeting. Mayor Davis said he would attend both meetings.

Bills in the amount of $140,195.79 were approved for payment.

Alderman Snidow inquired about some building permits and doesn’t understand why people are not using them. The permit cost is very reasonable. Snidow also stated that we need to start thinking about the pool repairs that need to be done before the season is upon us.

Alderman Schweizer motioned: “Our audit which is performed on the accrual basis, generates numbers that are meaningless to most of us. Last year it reported a general fund balance of $493,950. I am not an accountant, but when I see an audit balance of nearly half million dollars I think that means money in the bank, a healthy cash balance. Not so. In the same audit the “cash” balance is reported to be $157,893, nearly $160,000 in the hole. As an indicator of the financial condition of the city, the balance reported is worthless. Therefore, I move the 2002 audit be conducted on a cash basis accounting, actual money received and actual expenses paid. If we are ever going to get back on track with our finances, we need real numbers that reflect real money in the fund balance.” Motion died for lack of a second.

Alderman Schweizer also stated: “I want to express my condolence to Kathy’s family. Her untimely passing was a shock and sadness to all of us.”

Alderman Wycoff made a motion to fly the flag in front of City Hall at half mast and that City Hall should be closed on Friday, Jan. 17, so the employee could attend funeral services for Kathy.

Alderman Wycoff also wanted to thank Autumn for helping out in this difficult time.

Mayor Davis stated he had been answering calls from radio stations and newspapers about Kathy. He also stated he would be attending Kathy’s visitation Thursday night.

The above are the unapproved minutes of the regular meeting for the city of Gallatin held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at city hall. Present were Mayor L.B. Davis, aldermen Robert Snidow, Norma Griffin, Gene Schweizer, Becky Wycoff, Deputy City Clerk Autumn Acree, Police Chief Jim Wycoff and city attorney Bill Lewis.