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Budget cuts to the tune of nearly $125,000 were on the top of everyone’s mind at Monday night’s Edwardsville City Council meeting.

Millard Refrigeration successfully appealed its assessed property values, causing a reduction in the amount of property taxes it pays, which in turn has forced the city to explore options, including employee layoffs, to offset its loss in tax revenue.

“I don’t like this scenario,” City Administrator Michael Webb said of the financial problems. “I’m just trying to make sure we have all the options on table to discuss.”

Webb presented council members with a list of eight options that included different positions in the city that could be let go, involuntary employee furloughs or unpaid leave, general budget cuts, increases to garbage rates and the issuance of no-fund warrants. Webb said that no one solution would fix the problem and that council members should direct the staff to further investigate multiple options.

“I would be more apt to look at the mill levy and pay a little bit more a year on the mill levy then have three people pay the ultimate sacrifice and lose their jobs,” said Council member Craig Crider about his opinion to look into no-fund warrants. “It’s better we all pay a little bit because it’s not fair for me to sit here and not pay more when we got people without a job. I’m not in favor of eliminating any jobs or any positions.”

While the remaining four council members agreed that the thought of city employees losing their jobs was not appealing, they all were against the use of no-fund warrants, leaving the city with no choice but to eliminate jobs.

“I’m sure nobody in this room, and I’d venture to guess if we polled all the citizens at home tonight, none would be in favor of anyone losing their job,” said Mayor William “Heinz” Rodgers. “But these are the times we live in now, and unfortunately we’re in a predicament when we have to expect a deficit coming to the city.”

Council member Chuck Adams said he was against using the loans through no-fund warrants for several reasons. He said that the city had just spent a lot of time working on a tax abatement program to make it more competitive with neighboring cities, and raising the mill levy would undue everything. He also pointed out that because of the economy the mill levy may have to be raised when it comes to 2010 budget talks, and he didn’t want to have to raise it twice.

Instead, Adams suggested pursuing three of the eight options and the rest of the council agreed, 5-0.

At the next meeting April 27, staff will have more information and definite numbers to present on the following options:

• Reduce the Fire Department staffing by one, which would result in two fire shifts with four officers and one with five, and leaving open any currently open position in the Police Department. Currently the fire department is operating with two shifts of five officers and one shift of four. During the meeting Fire Chief Cliff Lane said the department could run efficiently with the reduction.

These two steps would amount to approximately $75,000 in savings.

• Enforce involuntary furloughs or unpaid leave for all city employees. When presenting this idea, Webb said that he would include himself, after which he volunteered for a week of unpaid leave. City attorney Reed Walker also spoke up and said he would work for the city for one month without pay. Employees on unpaid leave would still receive benefits.

If every employee took a week of unpaid leave, Webb estimated a savings of $25,000.

• Reduce the general budget by making cuts to nonessential spending. Webb said he would need to take a closer look at the general fund to see where exactly those cuts would come from but estimated that anywhere between $17,500 and $25,000 in cuts could be made.

Budget cuts weren’t the only issues on the minds of Edwardsville City Council members at their meeting this week.

Prior to their regular meeting, council members unveiled a new street sign that renames Trant Street to Cliff Lane in honor of the Edwardsville fire chief. Mayor Heinz Rodgers presented Lane with a larger version of the street sign to keep and commented that Lane’s 30 years of service hade been vital to the Edwardsville Fire Department’s success.

In other business, the council:

• Heard a presentation from the Bonner Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6401. Fire Capt. Paul Clark and Police Master Sgt. Terry Hammontree were presented with plaques of recognition for their service to the city.

• Approved, 5-0, minutes of the April 23 meeting.

• Approved, 5-0, payment of bills totaling $247,314.39.

• Heard a proclamation from Rodgers declaring April 2009 as “Fair Housing Month.”

• Approved, 5-0, a final plat for Peterbilt.

• Heard a planning update from Paul Bush, Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce first vice president, regarding the 2009 AutumnFest. Bush said this year’s event would have a parade, barbecue contest, carnival, craft booths, a car and motorcycle show, a beer garden and a pie and chili contest. He requested the council approve the $6,000 commitment the city had budgeted for the event.

Rodgers said he would like to wait to give that money to the committee until next week because the city is dealing with a financial issue and needs to make sure that it can still give $6,000. The council will address the issue again at the April 27 meeting.

• Approved, 5-0, an ordinance adopting the 2008 Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas cities with amendments.

• Approved, 5-0, an ordinance adopting the 2008 Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas cities with amendments.

• Heard a reminder for the rescheduled Edwardsville clean up day. The event will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, in the parking lot of Edwardsville City Hall, 690 S. 4th St. All city residents must show proof of residency. Items that will not be allowed are paint, batteries, oil, anything flammable, corrosive or potentially explosive liquids, tires, concrete, stone, dirt and asphalt shingles.

• Heard a request from Crider that the city take a stronger stance when it comes to getting the Golden Gaming casino bid approved. He asked that city staff look into hiring an attorney who specializes in contract writing so that the city can get a “top notch” development agreement with Golden Gaming to present to the Kansas Lottery board.

• Heard a goodbye speech from council member Patrick Isenhour. Monday’s meeting will be Isenhour’s last on the council for the next term after losing the election to Eickhoff by two votes.

“I just want to thank everybody,” Isenhour said. “It’s been such a breath of fresh air working with you guys (other current council members). It’s been so nice to be able to communicate like adults. Thank you for all the support.”

• Heard a goodbye speech from Rodgers. Monday’s meeting will be Rodger’s last as Edwardsville mayor; he did not seek re-election.

“It’s been a great honor to serve as mayor,” Rodgers said. “I look forward to a smooth transition. Mayor-elect (John) McTaggart has had many meetings down here with staff to go over things. I look forward to an easy transition.”

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