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Tuesday, April 21, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
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per copy Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 66
Trenton, MO 64683
Ten Pages CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting
Trenton Budget Finally Gets OK
R-T Photo/Seth Herrold
Despite the early spring snow, volunteers at the Grundy County Community Food Pantry were out in full force on Friday, providing food boxes to persons during the pantry’s monthly distribution. There were 230 clients who picked up food items, including 119 in the first hour. Another commodity drive through is planned in the near future, with the date to be announced later.
MUNICIPAL/SCHOOL ELECTIONS
Trenton Has Hotel Tax On Ballot
Not Everyone Will Vote On June 2 Not everyone will need to go to the polls for the June 2 muncipal/school election and, in fact, some polling places won’t even be open due to no races in that precinct. Below is a breakdown of what will be on the various ballots in Grundy County and where voters should go to vote: Trenton’s Four Wards - Voters in Trenton’s four wards will gave the opportunity to vote on a 5 percent lodging tax for motels and hotels and while the city council candidates are also listed on the ballot, there are no races as only one candidate filed in each of the wards. Voters in those four wards will also see four candidates listed for the three open seats on the Trenton R-9 School District, however, incumbent Doug Franklin announced after the ballots were printed that he is moving from the area and will not be serving. That leaves three candidates to fill the three positions - incumbents Corey Leeper and Brandon Gibler and newcomer Andy Burress. Those in the first ward can vote at the Grundy County Courthouse while second ward voters may cast ballots at the Frey Administrative Building on the North Central Missouri College campus. Third ward voters can cast ballots at the First Christian Church. and the fourth ward polling place is the First Baptist Church activity center.
AREA SCHOOL BOARDS
Jefferson Lincoln and Harrison Townships The only issue on the ballot in those townships will be the Trenton R-9 School Board, which now does not have a race. However, voters can still vote their ballot at the Grundy County Courthouse, if desired. Jackson Township - There are no issues on the ballot for Jackson Township voters, who normally vote at the First Baptist Church. Liberty Township - The only issue on the ballot would be the Trenton R-9 school board race, which is no longer relevant with the withdrawal of Doug Franklin. There are only nine R-9 voters in the township and no polling place will be set up. Those wishing to cast an absentee ballot may do so at the courthouse up to and including election day. Myers Township - The only issue on the ballot is the Spickard R-2 School District board election, which has three open positions and three candidates - Charles Holtzclaw, Roger Bonnett and Chelsea White. With only 14 voters from Myers Township living in the R-2 school district, no polling place will be open and all voters are invited to cast absentee ballots. Madison and Taylor Townships - The only item on the ballot will be the Trenton R-9 School Board election. Those who wish to cast ballots in the non-
existent race may do so at the Edinburg Baptist Church. Wilson Township - Voters will be asked to elect one of two candidates for Laredo mayor - Cassidy Russell and Carol Holloway. In addition, two persons - Helen Golden and Bruce McFie - are candidates for the two at-large Laredo aldermen positions. There are also two registered voters in the township who reside within the Meadville R-4 School District and who will be asked to elect three school board members from a list of six. On the ballot are Kristen Gunn, Michael Alan Moore, Jr., Sandra Johnson, Cody Smith, Diana K. Howe and Mason Kiehl. Voters will cast ballots at the Laredo Community Building. Marion Township - There are no issues on the ballot for voters in this township, who normally vote at Laredo. Franklin Township - The Spickard R-2 School Board election, which has three candidates for three positions, will be on the ballot. Those who wish to vote may do so at the Spickard R-2 School. Washington Township - This township has voters who reside within three different school districts Trenton R-9, Spickard R-2 and Princeton R-5 - with See Election, Page 3
Grundy R-5, Newtown-Harris
R-5 Postpones Graduation Ceremony Graduation and salaries topped agendas for recent meetings of the Grundy R-5 and Newtown-Harris boards of education. Grundy R-5 Graduation ceremonies for the Grundy R-5 senior and eighth grade classes have been postponed, with the district looking at three possible dates later this summer. According to information provided by Superintendent Phil Fox, ceremonies will be held with the tentative dates of June 27, July 11 or Aug. 8 being considered. Details are to be determined in the near future. The senior trip has also been cancelled. During a meeting of the board of education on Thursday night, April 15, members set the tuition rate for next year at $6,375, which is an increase over the current rates of $5,750 charged
at the high school and $4,500 charged at the elementary school. The rates have not been raised in over 20 years. The new amount meets the state adequacy target as determined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The board voted to advertise for bids for diesel, propane, milk and bread products, with the bids to be opened at the May meeting. Also approved were several MCE policy updates as well as an agreement with the Princeton School District to provide mechanic services for the R-5 District buses at the rate of $4,000 per bus. R-5 has three buses and all have been transferred to Princeton for maintenance work. Several reports were heard by the board, including employee insurance enrollment, which is being done virtually until April 24. Over 60 students are
National Weather Service
Showers are expected this week with Thursday looking like the only mostly sunny day. Highs will be in the upper 60s and lower 70s with lows in the mid 40s. The high at Trenton on Thursday, April 16 was 41 with .60 of an inch of rain. Friday’s high was 46 with .24 of an inch of rain. Saturday’s high was 65. Sunday’s high was 66 with a low of 42. There was no report from the Government Weather Station near Spickard.
taking advantage of the lunch meals being provided by the school district while classes are not in session. Fox reported the Study Island computer program being used by the district while students has been a success and is helping provide additional educational instruction along with “paper and pencil” copies provided by the school. The board voted to participate in the LAUNCH program, which allows students to acquire high school credit using virtual instruction. The set-up cost will be $500. There was discussion regarding the vo-tech transportation and the sports cooperative agreement with NewtownHarris, with no action taken. Principal reports were also reviewed and approved. Following an executive session, the board voted to employ all non-certified
staff for the 2020-21 school year and accepted the resignation of speech implementor Shawna Tabbert. Extra duty contracts were approved for Bob Shipley, junior/senior class sponsor and quiz bowl; Dena Courtney, junior class sponsor; Jessica Webb, high school cheerleading; Cheyanne Martin, FFA; Amy Axtell, FBLA and yearbook; Lydia Shifflett, National Honor Society; Ethan Bunnell, junior and senior high track and athletic director; Dixon Munday, assistant junior and senior high track; Chelsie Jones, high school softball; Ty Stillwell, high school boys baseball (spring and fall) and junior high boys basketball; and Caleb Fairly, assistant high school boys baseball and junior high boys basketball. The next meeting of the board will See Boards, Page 3
What’s Inside... It’s turkey season and Republican-Times sports editor Seth Herrold is ready to bag his limit. See how he’s preparing in his weekly column, which appears on page 2 of today’s newspaper.
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With no discussion, the Trenton City Council on Friday afternoon unanimously approved a budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, showing a deficit of $115,696. Approval comes just four days after the council rejected the initial budget, which showed expenditures outpacing revenues by just over $158,000. During a meeting of the finance committee on Wednesday, members cut an additional $19,942 from the expenditure side and, coupled with revenues of $22,380 that had not been included in the original budget, was able to reduce the deficit to the number finally approved by the council. The new budget shows revenues anticipated at $3,105,607 while expenditures are projected at $3,456,366. Additional revenues of $235,000 will be transfered into the budget from the road tax to get the deficit to $115,696. Should all numbers come in as projected, the city would have a fund balance of $1,625,976 as of April 30, 2021, which is the end of the 2020-21 fiscal year. The city will be starting the fiscal year with a fund balance of $1,741,672. The council is anticipating sales tax revenues to remain flat, with $760,000 budgeted for next year. With businesses closing or reducing their hours of operation due to the COVID-19 virus, several council members have expressed concerns about projecting an amount at that rate. Among other large revenue amounts listed in the budget are $489,000 in ad valorem (property) taxes as well as $220,000 in utility franchise taxes and $380,000 in PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) charges. As part of the budget expenditures, hourly employees will be receiving a 75-cent per hour raise while increment increases will also be given in the police, fire and street departments based on completion of certain certification and/or schooling. Salaried employees are receiving a $1,560 increase. City Administrator Ron Urton will be receiving a salary of $87,080, with half of that amount being paid by Trenton Municipal Utilities for Urton’s role as the TMU director. City Clerk Cindy Simpson will receive $52,801 while Police Chief Rex Ross’ salary was set at $55,215. Fire Chief Brandon Gibler will be paid $47,768, Street Department Supervisor Gary Dryer will be paid $49,560 and Code Enforcement Officer Wes Barone will be paid $40,269. See Budget, Page 3
What’s Inside
Sports.............................page 2 Local News ....................page 3 Across Missouri.....page 4 & 5 Calendars ......................page 5 Church Page .................page 6 National News ...............page 6 Comics ...........................page 7 Crosswords....................page 8 Dear Annie ....................page 8