Household questionnaires to be sent out
Soon Leadwood residents will be asked to complete a voluntary salary survey as part of the grant-seeking process for an estimated $5.1 million project to upgrade the town’s water and sewer systems. The survey packets should be delivered early next month.
City Clerk Charlotte Lewis relayed the news to the Leadwood Board of Alderpersons at the board’s meeting on Monday, after a visitor at the session asked for an update on the timeline for survey distribution.
Mayor Dennis Parks said work to prepare the surveys has begun. Lewis said city workers along with volunteers will go door-to-door dropping off the questionnaires then return a couple of days later to pick up completed surveys. The surveys will ask for household income information.
Parks, who announced last month that residents would be asked to fill out the questionnaires, has stressed that those in the community should do their best to provide accurate household income information, as decisions concerning the city’s eligibility for grant money for the project to improve the town’s water and sewer systems will be based, in part, on the survey responses.
Parks said that if the survey data provides an accurate picture of the average income of those living in town, Leadwood might be able to acquire roughly 50 percent of project funding through grant dollars.
Residents will not be asked to sign the surveys or otherwise provide their names so no one, including city leaders, will have access to any information on the personal household finances of community members. An 80 percent survey return rate is required.
Taylor Engineering, based in Farmington, the company heading up the improvement project, along with the city is working to secure funding for the upgrades. The two are partnering with USDA Rural Development, the Missouri Community Development Block Grant program and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to obtain the necessary funding.
In addition to seeking grants for the project, city leaders plan to ask Leadwood voters on April 7 to approve a $10 million bond issue to help with the costs.
In other news, board members voted unanimously to seek bids for the city’s annual outside audits for fiscal years 2012-13 and 2013-14. The city’s fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31.
Lewis said she planned to put out a notice requesting bids right away. The deadline to submit a quote is to be Feb. 19.
It is too soon for a solid estimate on the cost for the audit work, she said. Money is available in the budget to cover the expense.
Parks told the board that once the work is done, the city will be caught up on its outside auditing.
The board also approved the purchase of a new HP printer for Leadwood City Hall. Lewis said she ordered the printer prior to the meeting, as she had the okay from board members to proceed with the purchase. Monday’s vote made it official. The printer cost roughly $200. It is being provided by Quill.com.
Lewis said her hope was that the machine would come in Tuesday, as it is sorely needed. She said when she tried to print paychecks Jan. 22 some were unreadable.
Board members also voted unanimously to approve the renewal of 21 business licenses for 2015. Among the licenses renewed were those for Leadwood Grab N Go LLC, Budget Auto Sales, Dollar General, Bales Heating and Cooling, H.E. Williams Termite & Pest Control & Lawn Care, Mary’s Hairstyles, R & B Tree Service and CWI of Missouri/Republic Services.
The City of Leadwood expects to collect household income data from residents via survey early next month. The data will be used to help determine the town’s eligibility for grant dollars for its project to upgrade the city’s water and sewer systems. A new water tank is to be constructed as part of the project. The town’s existing water tower, pictured behind Ward 2 Alderman John Vickers, dates back roughly 30 years.
A new water tank is to be constructed as part of Leadwood’s new water and sewer system. In April 2015, Leadwood voters authorized a $10 million bond issue to help pay for the much-needed improvements. The town’s existing water tower, pictured behind Ward 2 Alderman John Vickers, dates back roughly 30 years.
The city of Leadwood leaders embarked on a plan to improve water and sewer systems, including a community survey to help determine the town’s eligibility for grant dollars for the anticipated projects. A new water tank is to be constructed as part of the project. The town’s existing water tower, pictured behind Ward 2 Alderman John Vickers, dates back roughly 30 years.
Clementine Carbery is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3616 or ccarbery@dailyjournalonline.com
