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Friday, March 29, 2019
TRENTON
REPUBLICAN-TIMES
Trenton, MO 64683
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 155th Year - No. 60
PUBLIC MEETING AT TRENTON
NCMC Board Of Trustees
2019-20 Tuition, Fees To Increase
License Bureau Location
NCMC Dr. Klaver said NCMC’s goals in relation to the arts include enhancing its academic offerings, offering entertainment for the community, offering an opportunity for community participation in its programs and offering community attractions (arts and crafts fairs; theatrical productions; music, dance and art shows; and digital media). He said the college’s long-range plans include a theater for productions, but also an outdoor venue. His goal for Monday evening, he said, was to engage the community in a conversation about ideas they have and about those that haven’t been thought of yet. The role that NCMC will play in offering arts education was discussed by Tyler Busick, See Arts, Page 9
costs, the choice was made to take a $1 million loss and, eventually, a larger rate increase was necessary. He said the city is also looking at large costs regarding transformer replacement, which he said could cost over $1 million. Hoffman said that if the city really feels there is more money than is needed in the electric department, it should look at other options in reducing that number, including a rebate back to customers. Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue expressed his disagreement with Hoffman, stating he felt Hoffman’s argument about the funds generated by TMU customers being used by all customers affected only about 3 percent of residents (those using KCP&L as their electric provider) and was a non-factor. Dr. McHargue pointed to what he says will be a $1 million-plus savings to the city by borrowing from itself instead of from a financial institution. Hoffman stated that many of the city’s electric department reserves are in investments generating as much as 3 percent and that lending those funds out at 1/2 percent didn’t sound like a good deal to him. The conversation then moved on to discussion regarding utility funds used to help with the Plaza Apartments project, which both Hoffman and Councilman Larry Crawford, who was a member of the BPW at the time, said was viewed as an economic development investment. Hoffman noted the city was looking at a cost of around $250,000 to take the building down if something wasn’t done with it and that the $100,000 assisted in getting the former hotel back in use. Crawford noted the project is over and done and doesn’t need to be rehashed.
North Central Missouri College trustees approved a tuition increase during a meeting on Tuesday evening at which time new directors were also named for the Green Hills Head Start program and three instructors were granted tenure. With level enrollment projected and no expectation of increased state revenue for the third year in a row, trustees approved a modest increase in tuition, fees and board. Tuition for the 2019-2020 school year will increase $2 per credit hour for in-district students while there is a $3 per credit hour increase for other Missouri residents and a $4 per credit hour increase for other U.S. residents and international students. Students taking courses online, through the outreach centers or by arrangement will see a $3 per credit hour increase as will nursing students in the on-ground practical nursing and associate degree programs, while those taking online ADN courses will see an increase of $4 per credit hour. Nursing program fees will be increased by $100 per semester. Trustees approved a $1 per credit hour increase in the student development fee, facility fee and technology fee. Students enrolled in the dual credit courses, in which classes are taken at the respective high schools, will see no increase in tuition and those taking early college classes (on campus, online and outreach courses taken by high school students) will actually see a $1 per credit hour reduction in tuition. The new per credit hour tuition rates are as follows: NCMC in-district, $87; other Missouri residents, $148; other U.S. residents and international students, $179; online, outreach and course by arrangement, $162; nursing on ground (PN and ADN), $152; online ADN, $178; nursing program fees, initial semester, $2,500, second semester and summer (PN only), $2,100; student development fee and facility fee, $16 each; technology fee, $6; dual credit, $100; in-district early college, $14; out-of-district early college, $64; and online and outreach early college, $64. In addition, trustees approved changes in course fees for certain manufacturing courses. Those living in the college residence halls will see a 2 percent increase in board rates but no increase in the room rate. A double occupancy room is listed at $3,043 per year while a single room is listed at $4,867 per year. A 12meal per week board plan will be $2,706 per year with the in-
See City, Page 9
See NCMC, Page 11
Clerk’s Office Open
Photo Courtesy of NCMC Foundation
TRENTON CITY COUNCIL
Sixteen Pages - 2 Sections & 2 Inserts
The Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce has announced it will be relocating its offices and the license bureau office to a facility at 611 E. Ninth St., with plans to re-open within the next two to three weeks. Chamber Executive Director Debbie Carman said the chamber will be renting office space from Terry and Tara Walker, who are purchasing the building and will take possession on Friday, April 5. The building currently houses the business, From the Farm. Ms. Carman said the offices will be rented on a month-by-month basis until a determination can be made by the chamber on a permanent location. The exact opening date for the offices will be announced later. The chamber and license bureau have been closed since Feb. 18, when the building in which the offices were located was destroyed by a fire along with two other business structures in the same block. The cause of that fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office.
NCMC IT specialist Nathan Vandevender, left, and NCMC math instructor Eric Christopherson, right, were among speakers at a meeting on Monday night to address revitalization of arts in the area. The two men discussed the possibility of establishing a monthly foreign film festival that would work much like a book club.
Norris, who serves as director of the Dorris Rider Art Gallery located on the campus, discussed ideas to draw more people into the gallery as exhibitors and as visitors. He said he is looking at themed shows and wants to draw from local talent as well as exhibit “some really cool art” that is not created by locals. Dan Maxey said the gallery is overlooked by many in the community and needs to be promoted. Norris said there are opportunities for art to be displayed and mentioned that the Five Points Alive group will be sponsoring a sidewalk art contest on June 21 in conjunction with a car show that is being held in the downtown area. Sena Arnold, who is involved with the group, went on to say that the event will also include games at the flag pole, music and food.
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Briefs...
Community, College Collaboration
Efforts To Revive Arts Program Draws Crowd It would be difficult to capture in print the energy that was felt in North Central Missouri College’s Cross Hall on Monday evening, but “Do something!” was the underlying theme of a meeting held there to begin a discussion on how to revitalize the arts scene in Trenton and the surrounding area. More than 50 patrons were at the meeting, moderated by NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver. Dr. Klaver told the crowd that there is a “gap” in arts, culture and entertainment programming and venues in the area, something that was echoed many times during the meeting. He presented information on the impact of the arts on those who are directly involved in the programming, the audience and the community as a whole. A New Arts Organization Phil Schlarb, who was involved with the now-defunct Grundy County Friends of the Arts, said he is interested in regenerating that type of program in the community. Friends of the Arts sponsored many arts programs in Grundy County before disbanding several years ago. Following the meeting, Schlarb met with a group of people who are interested in helping re-start that type of organization. He said the group will need to come up with by-laws and get its notfor-profit status in place before moving forward, but he is optimistic about the group. Dorris Rider Art Gallery NCMC Art Instructor Jim
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The Grundy County Clerk’s Office will be open on Saturday for voters who wish to cast an absentee ballot in the April 2 Election. The office, located on the second floor of the courthouse, will be open from 8 a.m. until noon. The deadline to vote absentee is 5 p.m. on Monday, April 1.
Commission Meeting The Grundy County Commission will meet Monday, rather than Tuesday, next week. The meeting is being moved due to the Tuesday, April 2 Election. No items were listed on the announced agenda as of press time.
Mapping Update Planned Grundy County has contracted with Eagleview Pictometry to fly the county and update the mapping of Grundy County. Assessor Kathy Veatch said the update will be taking place within the next few weeks. The new imagery will include both Oblique and Ortho imagery. This imagery will enable the assessor’s office to keep accurate and current records particularly for rural or hard to access properties. It will also aid during the appeal process. The contract includes two flights within the next six years if needed. This imagery will integrate with the county’s current digital mapping provided by Midland GIS. It also provides the potential for online access. Mrs. Veatch said the information could be beneficial to many organizations in the county such as fire departments and law enforcement.
Animal Shelter Contract Action Postponed
Fund Transfer Again Tops Discussion Although no action was taken during Monday night’s meeting, the Trenton City Council is continuing consideration of making a transfer of electric department funds to the wastewater department to help pay for a headworks project. The council reviewed a draft “memorandum of understanding” from City Attorney Tara Walker, which gave an outline of what the council plans to do in regard to the fund transfer and a brief description of the agreement terms. The council, at its March 11 meeting, had voted 3-4 against making the transfer of $2 million at a one-half percent interest rate over a 15year period. However, at a meeting last week, the finance committee asked Mrs. Walker to draft wording on a transfer agreement that might make the action more palatable to other council members who opposed what was then termed a loan from one department to the other. Mrs. Walker told council members that the MOU was only a draft and that more information would be needed before a final document could be presented for consideration. The MOU presented to the council stated the amount of the transfer, the payoff time and interest rate, however, Mrs. Walker asked that items such as amortization schedule, a document stating exactly what the money is to be used for and how money that will be available in 10 years to make additional payback payments will be used will need to be included in the MOU. City staff is to work with Mrs. Walker on a final draft. As in the past, council members debated the pros and cons of using existing city funds rather than borrowing the money commercially, with the same arguments being made regarding concerns about
committing future city councils to require the electric department funds be paid back. It was noted that while the transfer was not considered illegal, several financial consultants have mentioned concerns about this practice. Council members Glen Briggs, Travis Elbert and Jennifer Hottes all stated reservations about the practice, in particular future repayment of the funds. Elbert also stated that should the electric department need additional funds in the future, a rate increase in that area would affect customers much more than a rate increase in water rates, noting that water usage is more easily controlled than electric usage. Councilman Brad Chumbley said making the transfer would put the city in a position to begin paying for its own projects rather than to continue borrowing funds. He said that the transfer would allow the city to take minimal utility rate hikes over the next few years and help pay for work that has been put off as well as continue to pay for existing operations. Phil Hoffman, a long-time member of the Board of Public Works which previously oversaw operations of the city’s utilities, spoke to the council about his concerns with the transfer. He noted that the electric reserves being generated by TMU customers, if transferred, would be going for use to all residents of Trenton and not just to those who use TMU electric services and who generated those monies. He said the city is facing unknowns in regard to the future costs of purchasing power and that it would be prudent to keep a larger reserve in the electric department to meet those costs. He pointed to a time several years ago when the city’s power purchase costs continued to rise and rather than increase rates to meet those
National Weather Service Showers are expected on Friday night and Saturday morning, then clearing out for the next several days. Highs will gradually rise to the mid 50s with lows as low as 26 on Saturday night. The high on Monday, March 25 was 57 and Tuesday’s high was 57. Wednesday’s high was 71 and the overnight low was 42, The high on Wednesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 69, the low was 41.
What’s Inside... The spring sports season is off and running at Trenton High School with the boys tennis and baseball teams at home and on the road. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for a recapof this week’s action.
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What’s Inside Sports.................Sec. 1, Page 2 Local...Sec. 1, Pages 3, 8, 9, 11 Op/Ed ................Sec. 1, Page 4 Community .......Sec. 1, Page 5 Agriculture........Sec. 1, Page 6 Business ............Sec 1, Page 10 Comics ...............Sec. 2, Page 1 Crosswords........Sec. 2, Page 4 Dear Annie ........Sec. 2, Page 4