What you need to know from Monday’s Boone City Council meeting – Boone News-Republican

By Austin Harrington Staff Writer aharrington@amestrib.com

Freedom Flight

During Mondays meeting of the Boone City Council, a discussion was held that concerned funding for the Boone Freedom Flight, which is planning a trip for Boone County Veterans in October. In a previous Boone City Council meeting, the council approved appropriating $5,000 to support the trip if the freedom flight organizers were able to reach their fundraising goals. Even though the group came up a little short of its overall goal, the council still voted to approve the funds during Mondays meeting.

Budget Amendments

The council also approved a list of budget amendments that mostly allowed the city to close out projects that were started during the previous fiscal year, but for various reasons were unable to be completed. The changes were made mostly to pay for the cost of things such as rental codes and the closing out a FEMA project, as well as building and garage repairs.

Administrator Training

The council went on to approve training for city administrator William Skare. The training is part of a state program through Drake University where Skare will be going to Des Moines a few times a month to achieve a certification that allows him to be a certified city administrator in Boone. According to the universitys website, the program takes roughly 18 months to complete.

Salary Adjustments

During Mondays meeting, the council also approved an increase in salary for all full-time non-union and part-time employees. The increase will be 2.75 percent will include department heads such as Rhonda Clayton, Utility Billing Supervisor, Ondrea Elmquist, Clerk/Finance Officer, Justin Adams, Fire Chief, John Wiebold, Police Chief, Bill Skare, City Administrator/Director of Public Safety, John Rouse, Public Works/Parks Director, Ed Higgins, Building Official, and Wayne Schwartz, City Engineer. The salary increases will go into effect July 1.

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What you need to know from Monday's Boone City Council meeting - Boone News-Republican