Iola Commissioner Bill Shirley expressed his support Tuesday for a new hospital, but he hopes the city is included in the planning process.
Allen County commissioners will decide very soon whether to ask for a quarter- or half-cent sales tax to support funding for construction and equipping of the new hospital and to provide startup and working capital. The project is expected to cost $30 million.
The level of new taxation will depend on whether Iola provides up to $350,000 a year for 10 years from a current sales tax it has in place for capital improvement.
Legal language permitting the transfer of tax funds and to ensure the sale of bonds is being crafted.
City commissioners have agreed to help with funding but an agreement won’t be signed until legal issues are resolved.
Shirley noted Iolans would pay up to two-thirds of the $750,000 needed to provide startup and working capital through the city’s and county’s sales tax levies.
Shirley said he hopes county commissioners keep Iolans abreast of where the new hospital would be located.
“We would like to know where it’s going to go,” he said at Tuesday’s Iola City Commission meeting.
County commissioners are considering a number of potential locations for the new hospital, City Attorney Chuck Apt said. Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock noted that infrastructure availability will play a primary factor in the county’s decision.
CITY commissioners approved spending $5,000 annually to help straighten leaning or toppled tombstones at Highland Cemetery, now that work to straighten stones in the veterans section of Highland is complete.
Terry Ellis of Williams Monuments will handle the duties.
“This is a project that’s going to take several years,” Shirley noted.
Two houses, one at 216 N. Third St., the other at 609 S. Sycamore St., will be demolished.
Commissioners approved the demolition orders at the urging of Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Bauer. Both structures have fallen into a state of disrepair and are considered blights.
The city will spend $11,800 to purchase a new vehicle for the city’s meter reader, replacing a 12-year-old pickup that needs thousands of dollars in repairs.
The old truck will be traded in for a new vehicle from Twin Motors Ford of Iola.
COMMISSIONERS also approved hiring Jacob Lawrence as a fitness coordinator with the Iola Recreation Department. Half of Lawrence’s salary is being funded through a SAFE BASE grant. He will work with SAFE BASE, an after-school program affiliated with USD 257, as well as the city.
The position is only funded for one year, although SAFE BASE organizers are seeking additional grants for future years.
Commissioners also approved annual evaluations and subsequent pay raises for six employees ranging from 1.4 to 3.5 percent.
