Ste. Genevieve Maintains Same Tax Rate
By MARK EVANS
mevans@stegenherald.com
In a regular meeting that barely lasted 15 minutes last Thursday, the Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen set a new tax rate, amended its nuisance ordinance, among five ordinances passed on second reading.
The board also amended the personnel manual to require seat belts being worn in city vehicles.
The tax rate of $1.00 for every $100 of assessed valuation for all properties, values and businesses. This is the same as in 2021.
The breakdown is $0.4812 for the general fund, $.0480 for the cemetery fund, $0.0773 for the band fund, $0.1251 for the park fund, and $0.2684 for the public safety fund.
The board also passed an ordinance renewing the contract between the city and the Ste. Genevieve Access Television Board, one amending ordinances on streets, sidewalks and other public places.
City Administrator Happy Welch reported that Joy French had finished the “Our Hometown” mural on the city hall wall. It cost the city $320 for supplies. French put in 52 hours on the project.
Preliminary approval was received on the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to extend sidewalks along St. Mary’s Road.
He also reported that the second “tranche” of American Relief Plan Act (ARPA) money had arrived. It gives the city a little more than $890,000 in funds that will be spent on water main improvements, cyber security and more.
Welch said he had been able to contact two out of the three property owners along N. Fourth Street to get temporary construction easements to repair sidewalks where street work is being done.
Welch also said he had concluded two of three interviews for the front clerk position.
Police Chief Eric Bennett and Steve Wilson, local manager for Alliance Water Resources, also gave brief reports.
Bennett reported that he had made an offer to a potential new officer. He would start Sept. 3. He said that Kyle Weiss had been kept on, on a part-time basis.
Meanwhile, Kara Burt reported that there were 25 food and craft vendors lined up for the Sept. 17-18 Oktoberfest downtown.