Budget Draft Complete
With the revised budget process in place, the staff has done a
tremendous job in preparing the draft budget for council review and discussion
on the 14th. Jean, Diane, and
Skye have done an exceptional job in putting together all the pieces for the
budget draft. As you know, this process
is designed to give council additional time to review and provide direction on
the allocation of available funds in the coming year. I hope you find this process more engaging
and valuable in understanding the overall financial direction of the city.
Following the discussion at the study session Monday night, Council will have
nearly two months to review, discuss, revise, and/or change allocations prior
to final approval due in March. I look
forward to working with the Council and staff in finalizing the City of
Indianola budget and thank all the staff who has worked in the development of
the FY 14 budget document.
Phase 4 I & I to Begin
The 4th and final stage of the public improvements to
the sewer system is set to begin this month.
Last month the council approved the contract to proceed with the work to
line, repair, and update the system per recommendations from our engineers.
Currently the Community Development department is working to acquire the
remaining construction easements.
Thirty-three easements have been obtained to date allowing the work to
proceed as planned. Staff will also work
with private homeowners to address any inflow issues that may be present within
the system. This has been a very
challenging and expensive mandated project for not only the city, but also many
homeowners. Discussion on the best way
to assist our residents in dealing with this initiative and the associated
expense will continue at the budget workshop on the 14th.
Road Maintenance
With the
snow quickly disappearing with the nice temperatures of late, we once again
begin the annual battle of dealing with potholes and cracking in our streets
associated with the freezing and thawing that occurs this time of year. I have no doubt the winter is far from over,
but Street Department staff will be working the next couple of weeks addressing
any issues that arise due to the ever changing weather and ongoing ice and
water associated with the melting snow.
If you receive any complaints or spot an issue, do not hesitate to let
me or the street department staff know so we can make the necessary repairs to
get through the remainder of the winter season.
School Security/Safety
Interim Chief Hamell
and the Indianola Police Department are working on the ongoing effort and
concern nationwide of keeping our schools safe.
We continue to be reminded that we unfortunately live in a society were
extra precautions must be undertaken to keep our children safe. Representatives from the IPD and school
officials will be meeting January 17th to continue the dialogue on
the best strategy to keep our schools as safe as possible. Ongoing efforts to
evaluate and assess the security needs at our various school buildings by both
the Indianola School System as well as the IPD will allow us to identify the
best security strategy going forward.
