One of the potential hurdles to extending the Missouri Pacific Trail through east Iola has been cleared, even before the project has entered the city’s radar.
Iola City Council members approved the purchase of a parcel of land at 308 N. First St. for $1,500.
The land held a recently demolished house that had been condemned by the city because of its unsafe condition.
It also happens to be the only portion of the old Missouri Pacific Rail Line that Iola did not have sufficient easements necessary to extend the walking and biking trail from downtown Iola to the new Iola Elementary School site.
Rather than be fitted with the entire $3,275 demolition bill, the property owners have agreed to deed the property to the city for the trail project, whenever it begins.
Minus Iola’s $1,500 purchase price, the owners will pay the remaining $1,750 for the demolition costs.
The property contains two lots, roughly 180 feet by 50 feet, Interim City Administrator Corey Schinstock said.
With dirt work progressing at the school site, extending the trail, which stretches from Iola High School to State Street, farther to the east has been listed as a city priority.
The demolition and removal of the structure facilitated the conversation of property acquisition a bit earlier than the city had planned, Schinstock said. “With that being said, this property should be the only acquisition needed to extend the current trail to the new elementary school site.”
Looking even further down the road, the trail could be extended even farther, to Iola’s eastern city limits, near the Sterling Six Cinemas and Super 8 Motel, Schinstock noted.
IOLA employees will pay a tad more for health insurance, but will be allowed to keep their existing plans in place.
Council members approved premium hikes of 2.5% for both single coverage and family plans.
Dollar-wise, that means an employee will pay $31.80 a month for single coverage (compared to $22.04 today) while those enrolled in family plans will pay $265.36 monthly (currently $250.)
The adjustments are necessary because Blue Cross Blue Shield, which administers Iola’s health insurance plan, has set a 16% increase in premiums, above the 7% increase Council members budgeted for 2021.
That put Iola’s budget authority about $58,000 less than what’s needed, Human Resources Manager Carla Brown explained.
In order to keep its existing plan — attractive because of its combined low deductibles, prescription coverage and out-of-pocket cost limits — the city cannot raise employee contributions more than 5% annually, Brown noted.
