Grayville leaders have placed Seth Schonaman on the council to replace Chris James. James resigned for his new role out of town at the last meeting of February. While Schonaman got his feet wet observing, commissioners went on conducting city business over about half an hour Monday night.
Commissioners tabled again the vacating of North Middle Street from Vine to Martin. They also approved a TIF request and tabled another. Leaders voted to approve a request from Load Em Up Laundry for $8,500 for a project there. Josh Harms has purchased the business. No details were shared on what the project entails. A request from Project 1855 was tabled so that commissioners “could get additional clarification” on the request.
The board also approved a public hearing for the fiscal year budget to be held on April 13th at 6:45pm before the regular meeting. In all, the budget calls for revenues of 5,033,305.00 and budgeted expenses coming in at $5,173,998.88. That loss of more than $140,000 is offset with $447,595 in capital expenses, giving Grayville an anticipated operating profit of more than $300,000.
Also Monday night, the city adjusted trash rates as per the agreement with Sunrise Sanitation. In late 2024, Grayville agreed to terms with the waste removal supplier over the next 5 years. Council institutes the increase to citizens yearly however because it’s part of a public health line item which includes other things like mosquito spraying and product prices can and do change. Presumably beginning in April, residents trash service will go from $21.25 to $22.00 monthly.
The city also agreed to a $24,000 expenditure which will see Guisewite haul concrete to the bottoms in support of the gas transmission line. The concrete chunks currently out by the lagoon will be taken to the bottoms to help slow wash out. It should take about 3 days.
Council adjourned just before 7:30pm and will next meet March 23rd.