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BELOIT CITY COUNCIL â€“ Wednesday, July 5, 2023

By Terry Bailey

Water Usage was a major topic at the Beloit City Council meeting Wednesday evening. The extended dry period in North Central Kansas coupled with temperatures nearing 100 degrees have created unique demands on the City's water system. The maximum capacity of the city's water plant is 1.5 million gallons per day. In addition to the citizens in the city of Beloit, consumers of Rural Water Districts #1 and #3 are consumers of Beloit water. The Plant has been running at 80% of maximum capacity for a number of days recently. The north tower holds 500,000 gallons and the south tower has a capacity of 250,000 gallon. They are replenished each night, but the plant is working at near capacity to do so. The crew is down one person, and they are pushing hard to stay on top of things.
According to interim City Manager Amanda Lomax, the City of Beloit is under a Water Supply Warning. Residents are urged to voluntarily undertake water conservation measures including but not limited to: watering lawns, washing cars, use of swimming pools and fountains. It is hoped that the recent rains, the break in high temperatures and water conservation measures will help alleviate the shortage.
City Attorney Katie Schroeder announced that she and engineer Stewart Porter recently met with a water pipeline easement holder. This was particularly interesting because this easement is located where the pipeline will go under the river.
The Council moved to rescind the offering of a contract to Pumphrey Trucking for the lime pits for the lime pits on East Main Street. They proceeded to offer a contract to Pumphrey Trucking for cleaning both lime pits and return them to their original specifications. This work for this $100,000 contract must be completed by February 1, 2024. This will allow the work on the new water plant to proceed as planned.
At the June 21st meeting raising the rate of pay for emergency call outs shift differential were discussed. Upon a motion by Andrew Grabon, the Council voted to reimburse employees at a rate of $40 per weekday and $80 per weekend day for serving "on call." If employees are called back to duty for emergencies, they will be reimbursed at a rate of two and one-half their regular rate of pay. Also, a shift differential rate of pay of $2.00 per hour was suggested. The motion passed.
Chief of Police Lackey presented two of his officers for promotions. Due to their attention of detail and high level of alertness to duty, Lackey promoted officers Josh Alcorn and Ashley Todd to the rank of Sergeant. Chief Lackey also noted that the Beloit Police Force has been very busy over the fourth of July weekend.
Lackey presented bids for lease-purchase arrangements for a new 2023 Dodge Durango fleet vehicle. The Solomon Valley Bank was awarded the contract based on the lowest interest rate bid.
Interim City Manager led the Council through a review of the upcoming 2024 city budget.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA