KANOPOLIS — The tax rate will remain flat for residents in the city of Kanopolis the city council decided during its Aug. 8 meeting.

“The mill rate should generate the exact same amount of tax as last year,” said Craig Dassow from Long & Associates. “You’re dropping the mill rate because of the assessed valuation.”

The council unanimously approved the 2024 budget with no increase.

Additionally, the council discussed this summer’s Cleanup Days, which cost $1,321.48. The cleanup day did not include tires, which cost more to dispose of.

After discussing options to limit tires to non-commercial or to four or eight per household.

“I believe we should entertain not having tires at all,” council member Tom Wilkinson said.

He said during previous Cleanup Days, people from outside of Kanopolis would bring in tires.

In other business:

• The council heard from Ross Deming regarding abandoned vehicles in his yard. He sold a bus and will tag a truck.

The council agreed to give him a month to complete the process.

• Wilkinson discussed the water project, which the council halted during the July meeting.

After prolonged periods of no communication, Wilkinson said his questions are answered and he is comfortable with the project moving forward.

Bids will be requested and a pre-bid meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 5 at Kanopolis City Hall. A special meeting will be held Sept. 29 to open bids.

• Discussed the water tower inspection. City Clerk Deb Kralik said KLM Engineering estimated repairs will cost between $8,500 and $11,000.

Maintenance Supervisor Mike Bunch said a different company suggested the cost would be significantly less.

Bunch said KLM suggested upgrades would be required to the tower in a few years.

“They said you’re looking at $750,000 to $800,000 to upgrade,” Bunch said. “You can replace a tower for cheaper than that.”

The council authorized Bunch to construct and install a locking mechanism on the ladder to prevent anyone who isn’t authorized from climbing the water tower.

• Kralik said the city’s workman’s comp provider visited for an inspection and requested the city establish a fleet vehicle policy and a return to work policy.

“It will save us 2 percent on our insurance if we have them,” she said.

Both policies passed unanimously.

• Approved ordinance 2023-0-01, which requires homeowners to be responsible for vegetation on the easements of their property.

• Bunch reported the sewer pond cleanup will be moved to November.

• Bunch met with insurance adjustors over the public restrooms in the park, which were vandalized. The adjustors said the structures weren’t totaled in the fire.

• Bunch reported he added “no trespassing” signs to the water tower.