Tax Rates, Water Fluoridation Discussed At Kahoka Council Meeting

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By Mike Scott

Kahoka taxpayers will continue to pay the same tax rates as last year. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, a public hearing was held to gather input on the proposed tax rates, which were unchanged from last year.

The General Revenue levy will be $0.79 per $100 of assessed valuation. The Library levy will remain $0.24 per $100 of assessed valuation, and the Parks and Recreation levy will be $0.15 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Gwendolyn Sullentrup from Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services presented board members with more information about the importance of water fluoridation.

“I am the Community Water Fluoridation Coordinator for the State of Misssouri,” she said.

Some 3.8 million Missourians benefit from water fluoridation, mostly in metro areas.

“Fluoridation is the easiest way to prevent tooth decay,” she said. “It’s very good for both children and older adults.”

She noted that Palmyra’s water is not fluoridated, and residents there have lots of untreated tooth decay.

Sullentrup had met with Kahoka’s Water Systems Operator, Gary Jones, earlier in the day.

“You guys keep a very clean water plant,” she commented.

Sullentrup did express some concerns about operator safety, including safety gear and the potential for chemical spills.

She explained that funding is available through the state and through Delta Dental for upgrades.

“We’re here to help finance-wise,” she said.

Funds are available to upgrade the equipment used to add the chemicals to the water, provide testing supplies and operator safety gear.

The total cost of the upgrades, which the city would be reimbursed for, are approximates $15,000.

Currently, the city purchases fluoride in 150 barrels. The cost to add the fluoride to the water system is about $3.14 per day.

In other business, the council:

-Approved a bid from W.L. Miller for paving West Clark and a section of the street near the Welcome Inn at a cost of $108,435.

-Discussed water and sewer service to the new dentist office near Dollar General.

-Discussed Church Street near Dollar General.

-Alderman Billings reported that the price of the baseball fence had increased by $8000.

-Discussed future pool repairs needed

-Approved an updated contract with Kahoka Vet Clinic.

-Discussed curb and guttering in Northwest Estates, and whether the existing curbs and gutters are city-owned or privately owned.