City appropriations total $5.7 million in adopted budget

By JIM LINCOLN

Tecumseh City Council adopted the 2008-2009 budget at Monday night’s regular meeting. As presented and recommended by City Manager Kevin Welch, the budget included total appropriations from the General Fund of $5.7 million. The tax rate was set at 14.3966 mills.

The city’s fiscal year begins July 1, 2008, and runs through June 30, 2009. City Council is required by City Charter to adopt the annual budget by the second Monday in May of each year.

In other city council news:
Duaine Wells, superintendent of the Department of Public Works, presented the DPW’s annual report. He reviewed accomplishments, by season, which included  the installation of 200 feet of sewer at Herrick Medical Center, 500 yards of concrete for curb and gutter, and 15 blocks of street paving.
Crews logged 1,050 hours for snow removal from streets and distributed 1,300 tons of salt. Among other work conducted this past winter was the removal of 150 trees, many of which were diseased ash trees.

City Manager Kevin Welch announced future plans by MDOT to install a new storm sewer on Chicago Blvd., from Sunset Dr. east through downtown where areas of flooding have occurred. The boulevard will be torn up during the project tentatively scheduled in 2015.

Anne Walker addressed city council in regards to the intersection of Chicago Boulevard and Union Street. Walker objected to the limitation put on westbound drivers on Chicago who are not allowed to turn left, or southbound, onto Union Street. The issue was raised a year ago, according to Welch, who said the turning restrictions are up to MDOT. The issue will be sent back to MDOT for consideration, he said.

Special assessments, drive approaches, curb and gutter, and delinquent water and sewer bills totaling $44,405 for the upcoming fiscal year were presented.  The amounts due will be placed on the tax roll in July.