Iola City Council members had one eye on the past Tuesday, and another on the future.
While much of the focus on Tuesday’s strategic planning sessions was on economic development (see related story atop A1) council members also reflected on their past year in office and goals for the next six months.
Four members — Steve French, Don Becker, Joel Wicoff and Scott Stewart — cited the Council’s decision to raise water rates to better strengthen Iola’s water utility fund, noting the fund had been hemorrhaging funds through the years.
Three others — Beverly Franklin, Kendall Callahan and Ken Rowe — pointed to the recent implementation of a new purchasing policy, which goes into effect June 1, saying it should provide cost savings.
Councilmen Jim Kilby, meanwhile, pointed to the city’s decision to upgrade Iola’s substation near Gates as a measure to strengthen Iola’s infrastructure.
CALLAHAN said the council was able to maintain a pro-business attitude, by providing revitalization tax breaks to a pair of businesses that missed out on an earlier plan, through no fault of their own; and by clearing up a utility issue with another.
He also noted that with an eight-member council, most decisions have received much greater light and public discourse than ever before; and that the council was able to pull out of the Kansas Power Pool within the next two years, “which should save us hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
WICOFF said overseeing housing growth in the north part of town and working with the county on hospital construction should remain a priority for the city, while strengthening Iola’s infrastructure was a must.
He also expressed concern the city’s new purchasing policy is so complex that it could discriminate against local businesses, and ironically, increase costs if vendors increase prices.
Wicoff said the council should continue to empower its employees with a greater spirit of cooperation among all.
Stewart agreed with Wicoff’s assessment, adding the council has gained a deeper understanding of city issues.
“And it’s good to see people are as interested in the council as they are,” Stewart said.
Becker said he, too, agreed with Wicoff on a number of issues. He also pointed to the city’s ability to refinance its Kansas Department of Health and Environment loan that financed construction of the city’s water treatment plant as another accomplishment.
