Tax collections jump in Mitchell

Talk about it

Recent sales tax collections set all-time marks, the Mitchell City Council learned Monday night at City Hall.

The 2 percent sales tax collections for April through June were up 8.6 percent compared to 2011.

The city collected $2,436,241.88 in the three-month period. That’s an all-time high, topping the previous mark of $2,352,257.46 set last year.

The extra 1 percent entertainment tax on lodgings, alcoholic beverages and prepared food was up 7.39 percent jump from 2011. The $147,873.97 collected was another record, better than the $136,300.85 collected last year.

Executive session

The council went into executive session for two issues late Monday night and was still meeting behind closed doors as The Daily Republic’s print deadline approached.

Mayor Ken Tracy sought the opinion of the council about department heads. They serve at his pleasure, and he did not swear any of them into office Monday night.

Tracy and the council also discussed contract negotiations with employee representatives. That part of the closed-door session was requested by City Attorney Randy Stiles, who will be part of the city’s negotiating team.

There are three unions that represent city employees.

Skate park event

The council heard a report from the Public Health & Safety Committee, which issued a noise permit to the new skate park for an event July 21.

Organizer Scott Lara, of Mitchell, said skaters and others are welcome to come to an event that will feature music, skating, food and family-oriented fun.

Councilman Mel Olson, who said he didn’t want to be seen as “a fuddy-duddy,” said he didn’t want to hear complaints about music with profane lyrics. Lara said the music would be appropriate for the time, place and the community. He said the goal is to bring more people to the park and raise awareness of it.

New website

The council adopted Resolution 3007, a contingency transfer of $2,410 for a shredder and $5,000 for the city’s website.

A&B Business Solutions will be paid $2,408.36 for an office shredder.

GovOffice Web Solutions of Minneapolis will build a new city website for $5,175. The city would pay an anticipated cost of $900 in the second year of the agreement.

Dustin Vanderham, the city’s information technology specialist, said the city had to make a change because the website was so outdated, it would soon be difficult to manage and have very little use for city staff and residents.

“We have to update it one way or the other,” Vanderham said.

He said the firm was providing its software, expertise and skills for the $5,175 charge. He said the firm will do an excellent job.

“They’ll make it look professional,” he said.

Vanderham said the website would gradually be changed over a course of several months. He said more city employees would be able to update the website and place items on it in a far easier manner.

Board of Adjustment

The council sat as the Board of Adjustment and:

• Approved the application of Kay L. and Boyd A. Reimnitz Sr. for a conditional use permit to build mini-storage buildings in a now-vacant lot in the 400 block of West Birch Avenue. The Mitchell Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval at its June 25 meeting.

• Approved the application of Jack and Jamie Wipf for a variance for a front yard setback of 4 feet instead of 30 feet at 1123 S. Duff St. The Wipfs said their infant son needs to stay out of the sun as much as possible for medical reasons and this would do that.

No neighbors opposed the building plan. The planners tied at 3-3 on this and it was sent to the council without a recommendation.

Other business

In other business, council members:

• Held a hearing on and then approved the application of the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village for a Special Event Malt Beverage and Wine License, with a noise permit, on Aug. 4 at 3200 Indian Village Road for the August Moon Festival.

Cindy Gregg, of the MPIV, said it would be a major fundraiser for the facility. The band Mogen’s Heroes will perform, Gregg said, but not a nationally known act like The Beach Boys, who performed at a village concert last summer.

• Awarded a bid on phase two of a bike path project. Robert Johnson Construction, of Mitchell, submitted the low bid of $250,619.65 and was awarded the contract. The project still needs state Department of Transportation approval.

• Held the second reading of and adopted Ordinance 2407, supplemental appropriations of $130,000 for a street project and $7,200 to purchase the water line to BankWest.

• Set a July 16 date for a hearing on proposed resolution of necessity for construction of base course, bituminous paving, curb and gutter, miscellaneous expenses, engineering services and project interest on the 2500 block of South Mentzer.

• Set a July 16 date for a public hearing on the application to transfer an on-sale liquor license including Sunday sales from Daisy Properties LLC, 1610 South Burr St., to Ty’s Casino, 1610 South Burr St.

• Adopted Resolution 3006, authorizing the filing of an application for a grant for Palace Transit from the South Dakota Department of Transportation

• Approved Resolution 3008, the plat of Lot 6, Block 2 of Woods First Addition in the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 23, T 103 N, R 60 W of the fifth prime meridian in the city of Mitchell. The planners recommended approval.

• Approved a request for permission to apply for an Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant to obtain a new ladder truck.

• Declared 10 Department of Public Safety guns surplus property to be traded in to a federal firearms licensed dealer in exchange for new equipment.

The rifles, shotguns, handguns and one BB gun have been recovered by the police or turned in. After a waiting period, the city is allowed to trade them in, Public Safety Chief Lyndon Overweg said.

• Approved an automatic supplement to the general fund, Finance, in the amount of $2,700 for fabricator’s sales tax rebates from use tax collections.

• Approved an automatic supplement to the special revenue fund, Parks, Recreation and Forestry, in the amount of $3,900 for park improvements from a donation of funds.

• Approved an automatic supplement to the enterprise fund, Corn Palace, in the amount of $175,000 for roof repair from an insurance reimbursement.

• Approved an automatic supplement to the general fund, Fire, in the amount of $1,600 for smoke detectors from a donation of funds.

• Approved the application of the Make a Wish Foundation for a Special Event Malt Beverage and Wine License to change location from the Lake Mitchell Day Camp to Mitchell Hitchcock Park for the Sept. 8 for Summer’s Last Dance event.

• Approved the application of the Palace City Lions Club for Special Event Licenses, at the Corn Palace and City Hall: Special Event Malt Beverage and Wine License on Aug. 22-26 for the Corn Palace Festival; Special Event Malt Beverage and Wine License on Sept. 14 for the Billy Currington and Jake Owen show.

• Approved raffle requests from the Davison County Democrats, with the drawing to be held on Oct. 16; the Mitchell Quarterback Club, with the drawing to be announced; and the Avera Queen of Peace Foundation, with the drawing to be held Aug. 18.

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