The Meeker Town Board of Trustees in their most recent meeting re-approved the General Fund and Pubic Works Authority budgets for 2023-2024.
The Trustees voted 4-1 in approving the General Operating Fund budget of $1,029,272.
Four of the Trustees, including Mayor Donna Weber, Vice Chairman Mike Orman, Aaron Head and Mike Melton were in favor. Trustee Lanny Thompson cast the dissenting vote.
The same four voted for adopting the resolution to approve the budget while Thompson was against it.
During a special meeting May 31, the Trustees had approved a General Fund Operating budget totaling $1,027,352. City Clerk and Treasurer Mary Conner explained the difference is $1,950 in Forestry funds that was added for the Fire Department.
Later meeting as the Public Works Authority, Trustees voted 5-0 to approve the PWA budget for 2023-2024 that totals $1,035,456 and was no different than the amount approved in May.
Conner has previously noted both budgets include funds for performance-based evaluation raises on a scale of three to five percent.
Trustees also voted 5-0 to take no action on an easement for James and Cathy Boland at the Meeker Lake.
They voted 4-1 in approving to make a lump sum payment of $22,035.38 on a police unit lease at Vision Bank with funds obtained from the settlement with Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group for the total loss of a unit and hail damage costs in the amount of $18,828.30.
Conner said that left a balance of $3,207.08 to be paid from the Police Department budget for 2023.
Only Mayor Weber voted against that motion. Trustees voted 5-0 to take no action on purchasing a new police unit with a lease purchase agreement from Vision Bank, Conner noted.
They unanimously approved paying a Worker’s Compensation invoice in the amount of $13,992 for the Town of Meeker.
They also agreed 5-0 to use the Escrow Credit to reduce the 2023-2024 premium for the Worker’s Compensation renewal.
Meeting as the PWA, Conner explained Trustees voted 4-1 to adopt an ordinance increasing the late fee on water bills from $15 to $20.
They also voted 4-1 to approve the emergency clause putting the increased late fee into effect immediately, she said.
Thompson voted against both motions, she noted. Without going into executive session, they voted to terminate the employment of Angi Baxter, Conner stated.
They voted 5-0 hire Shi’ann Cox as Office Assistant, Conner said.