Jackson aldermen OK smaller budget

The Jackson Board of Aldermen approved a reduced 2010 budget during its meeting Monday night.

"We're being conservative but at the same time optimistic," said city administrator Jim Roach. "We're anticipating revenues will be flat, and we took that into account when setting a tighter budget. Maybe the rest of the year will go better than expected."

The $26,098,891 budget is about $1.1 million less than 2009's budget. The largest expenditure is $1.2 million for upgrading electric transformers to improve power management in emergencies.

Another item of more than $1 million is the extension of South Old Orchard Road to East Main Street. The $1.1 million project is scheduled for construction in fall 2010 in an area city's leaders say is poised for future growth.

Other highlights from the budget include $240,000 for repaving North Hope Street from Mary Street to Greensferry Road and $118,000 for improvements such as historical lighting, trash receptacles and pavers on a section of High Street in uptown Jackson.

In other action, the aldermen approved:

* A public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 to consider a special-use permit for the development of a senior housing apartment complex at the intersection of North Oak Hill Road and East Main Street, as submitted by Oak Hill Apartments.

* A public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 to consider a special-use permit for gunsmithing as a home occupation at 1430 Douglas Drive, as submitted by Perry and Pamela Kay Evans.

* A plat of land for the second addition of Old Hickory Estates.

* A resolution for a voluntary annexation petition for property at 1275 W. Independence St. and setting a public hearing on it at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19.

* An annexation agreement with Gerald and Evelyn Eaker.

* Accepting the dedication of a sanitary sewer easement deed from Brian and Kerri Wilson, regarding the Elwanda Drive Relief Sewer Project.

* The final plat of Cambridge Estates subdivision, phase 3.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO