Regular Month Meeting
Benton City Council
June 20, 2016
The regular monthly meeting of the Benton City Council was called to order on Monday, June
20, 2016 at 5:00 P.M. by Mayor Dotson with the Pledge of Allegiance and opening prayer by Marty
Johnson.
Council Members Present:
Rita Murray Charles Edmonds
Chris Freeland Butch Holland
Absent were Sherra Riley and Tim King.
Other Staff Present:
Marty Johnson, City Attorney
Michele Edwards, City Clerk
Bethany Cooper, City Treasurer
Caleb Curtner, Police Officer
Kelly Collins, Gas Manager
City Attorney Johnson read a resolution appointing Zach Brien as the new City Attorney effective
July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. All voted yes. Motion carried.
The Planning & Zoning Board sent a recommendation to the Council for property on Old
Symsonia Road that is split between two zones of R-1 and C-2. Mayor Dotson tabled this
recommendation until further investigation of the City limit lines on this property.
There was a second reading of the General Fund budget for 2016-2017. All approved. Motion
carried.
There was a second reading of the Benton Water & Sewer budget for 2016-2017. All approved.
Motion carried.
There was a second reading of the Benton Gas budget for 2016-2017. All approved. Motion
carried.
There was a second reading of an ordinance to increase the Council pay to $200.00 per month
to be paid regardless of the number of meetings they attend in one month. This shall be effective upon
the new office term beginning January 1, 2017. All approved. Motion carried.
The second reading to increase the delinquent cut-off amount to $50.00 was postponed due to
some changes needing to be made.
There was a second reading to increase the water rate from $3.00 to $3.50 per 1000 gallons for
those customers outside the city limits. A motion was made by Holland, seconded by Freeland to
approve. All approved. Motion carried.
Mayor Dotson introduced the Municipal Aid Program agreement and resolution for our street
paving funds. Contract amount for 2016-2017 is $85,611.94. A motion was made by Freeland,
seconded by Murray to accept. All approved. Motion carried.
Mayor Dotson read a Memorandum of Agreement between Marshall County Fiscal Court, City of
Benton, City of Hardin and City of Calvert City that in the unfortunate event of a natural disaster or act
of terrorism or other such emergency that these entities will work together to provide temporary space
and labor if needed. A motion was made by Murray, seconded by Holland to approve. All agreed.
Motion carried.
City Attorney Johnson read a resolution adopting a modern and accurate legal description of
territory previously annexed by ordinance dated June 22, 1982. The property of land lying on the east
side of Main Street by Town Creek and Haltom Subdivision. A motion was made by Holland, seconded
by Murray to approve. All agreed. Motion carried.
The following items were declared to be surplus upon motion of Murray, seconded by Edmonds:
2010 Gravely mower – motor is blown
1990 Chevrolet Silverado
Brister’s UTV – broken in half but has a Honda motor that works
John Deere Gator – motor is blown
Stanley tractor type lawn mower – no deck and doesn’t run
Flink brand salt spreader – worked the last time it was used 2 years ago
Green ½ ton Ford – cut apart from jaws of life
Mayor Dotson recommended re-appointing Danny Newton to the Refuse Board. Motion was
made by Freeland, seconded by Edmonds to approve. All agreed. Motion carried.
One bid was received from Country Chevrolet for a new Benton Gas SUV. They bid on a 2016
Chevrolet Tahoe 4×4 for $51,195 less the State contract amount of $8,395 for a total due of $42,800. A
motion was made by Murray, seconded by Holland to accept the bid. All agreed. Motion carried.
Officer Caleb Curtner presented the police report for May. There were 18 cases, 31 accidents,
168 citations of which 84 were for speeding and 641 calls to service.
A motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by Murray to approve the payroll and invoices. All
agreed. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Holland, seconded by Murray to approve the regular minutes of May 16,
2016. All agreed. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Holland, seconded by Murray to approve the special called minutes of
June 9, 2016 and June 13, 2016. All agreed. Motion carried.
There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 5:51 P.M.
upon motion of Edmonds, seconded by Holland. Motion carried.
