Rosston doing better financially

By John Miller, 09/15/22 8:58 AM

ROSSTON – Financially, the City of Rosston is doing better.

This is what the Rosston City Council was told at its September meeting Wednesday evening. The meeting was moved from Monday due to a conflict. The primary reason for the financial improvement is the sale tax from the Dollar General Store in the community. The  council was told the city received $2,549 in June, $2,923 in July and $2,916 in August.

The news got even better when the panel was reminded the water rate increase went into effect this month and increased revenue should be seen from water bills in October. This wasn’t the end of the good news, though, as Mayor Dale Quarles pointed out a 1983 water revenue bond has been paid in full and the $2,943 monthly payment will remain in the city’s coffers – barring a major water leak. The city also received a refund of $600 from over-payment of the bond.

Quarles said the council needs to think about the 2023 budget for the city, reminding the council members the 2022 budget suffered because of the unforeseen rise in the price of literally everything. A working copy of the budget will be presented at the November meeting for the council to examine and vote on at the December meeting.

In other business, the council members were informed anyone not on the council more than 10 years would have to undergo a mandatory board training before the end of the year. Quarles said the training can be done in person, over the internet – which would take about two weeks to complete – or in a Zoom meeting. Successful completion of the training will result in eight hours of credit. The council was told this is mandatory under Act 605. The panel agreed to find a date when all members requiring training could gather for a Zoom meeting.

Only one councilman is exempt from the training, Johnny Kelley, who’s been on the council more than 10 years.

The council also approved the purchase of a new truck for the city. The truck, a 2013 Chevy XT, will be purchased from Malloy Auto for $24,095. The city will use part of a certificate of deposit (CD) to pay for the vehicle, and pay itself back over a five-year period at $389 a month. Quarles has talked with Farmer’s Bank about this. The old truck will be used by the mayor for city business around the community.