Focus on street repairs

OTHELLO — The Othello City Council decided streets are their focus while passing the 2007 city budget.

The budget did not pass before making a few tweaks Tuesday night.

The city has more than $1 million at their disposal from the utility tax fund for 2007. The fund is revenue generated from utility companies who pay taxes to the city.

State law does not mandate restrictions on how the fund is used, Finance Officer Mike Bailey said.

After learning there are no restrictions, the council approved some money to be used for street repairs in 2007. More than $2.28 million is allotted in the 2007 street budget with about $285,000 coming from the utility fund.

Councilmember Marc Spohr was concerned with spending the money on streets. There are other areas the utility tax fund could be spent on, such as a community center or a pool parking lot, he said.

"We have streets that are deteriorating fast," council member Dale Wyman said. "We're behind five or six years."

Spohr motioned to table the budget until the following council meeting to consider other venues to fund. There was no second motion. Shortly after, the budget passed unanimously.

The utility tax fund also alleviated other funds for the purchase of a $110,000 backhoe.

Citizen Ken Johnson asked the council to consider budgeting for a way to review economic growth and to give $1,000 dollars to the annual firework show to spark tourism.

The council approved funding from the general fund to the show. The show now receives a total of $2,500.

Mayor Shannon McKay informed Johnson a committee was under way for reviewing economic development in the city.