Public Works Budget Discussion.

The Public Works Committee reviewed the initial budget proposals of the Street Department and Engineering Department during the regular Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon in City Hall.

The Street Department will be requesting an increase of approximately 9% over last year’s budget. According to Street Commissioner Tom Shelley, the increase comes in part due to anticipated fuel prices, the Council decision to increase the health insurance rate, and replacement of small tools and supplies lost in the recent maintenance barn fire. The $1.047,267 budget does not include capital improvement projects such as major street resurfacing. Those projects are considered along with other capital projects.

The Engineering Department showed some minor increases for the 2000/20001 fiscal year, but most discussion was centered on a request for additional personnel and adjustments to current classifications.

City Engineering Department Director Joe Butler cited an increased work load and a 1997 classification/pay study as the main factors justifying the requests.

City of Carl Junction Residential Waste Tire Collection.

news release

The Region M Solid Waste Management District announces the Sixth Residential Waste Tire Collection for the district. The City of Carl Junction will be hosting the collection on April 8, 2000 from 8 a.m. to noon at the fire station located at 302 W. Pennell.

Any resident who lives within the Region M SWMD is encouraged to call the District at 800-788-3515 or 782-3515 to make an appointment to bring their waste tires to the collection on Saturday, April 8. Appointments are required and there is a limit of 10 tires per residence. The tires must be vehicle passenger tires. No tractor, farm implement tires or semi truck tires. The tires must be free of dirt, sand, water and rims. Only 1,200 tires will be collected, so call today.

Tires from commercial/industrial businesses will not be accepted!

This project was funded by the Region M SWMD Grant Program and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and awarded to the Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council.

If additional information is needed or if anyone would like to volunteer for this program please contact Beth Spears, Region M SWMD Office, at 800-788-3515.

Although the City budget season has not officially opened, there is a little charge in the air as Council members and departments look ahead to what will be allocated in the upcomin’ year. As in most personal budgets, there are always more opportunities than there is money or manpower to take advantage of ‘em.

Part of the budget process is hindered because there is little policy established as to essential vs. convenient services for the community.

The Council is movin’ to try and establish some of those policies and is scheduled to have a work session for just that purpose in April. The hope is with concrete objectives in place, some criteria can be established to evaluate progress and costs.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Dear Tom and Ray:

I am involved in bird research during the spring and summer in western Oregon that has several times left me in the middle of nowhere with a car problem (usually a flat tire). I drive over extremely crummy roads and am often 20-plus miles away from the nearest town (or two people as the case may be). What would you guys suggest as the catch-all tool-kit/emergency-repair stuff that I need to take with me? A first-aid kit for the car, you might say. I don’t want to carry 6 tons of equipment, but I want the stuff to fix small problems on my own. What should I have and know how to use in case of a breakdown? -Jenny

RAY: A cellular phone.

TOM: But in case you’re really out in the boondocks where a cell phone doesn’t work (or you run your battery down by spending six hours talking to the Psychic Friends Network), I’d also pack the following:

RAY: An inflated spare tire. And make sure your lug nuts aren’t rusted tight by loosening and tightening them back up every six months or so.

TOM: I’d also carry a can of that "Fix-a-Flat" type of stuff. That’s the goop in a can that will fix a small puncture hole in your tire and inflate it, at least temporarily.

RAY: I’d also bring a roll of duct tape. It’s good for lots of things, like when parts fall off, when a hose breaks and you need to temporarily patch it up, or when you’re tired of listening to a particularly verbose in-law.

TOM: I’d also carry one of those plastic, temporary replacement belts that can be adjusted to any size by adding or removing links. That’ll help if a belt breaks. Then I’d throw in two screwdrivers (one of each kind), and a pair of Vise Grips,and call it a day.