Afton council adopts $3.71 million budget, approves rezoning and advances utility limits

The Afton Town Council on June 13 adopted its fiscal 2017-18 annual appropriation ordinance and approved a string of planning, contract and service decisions at a meeting that ran from 5:00 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.

The Council passed Ordinance 639 on third and final reading, setting total general-fund revenues and expenditures at $3,708,506 after a motion by Councilman Jason C. Inskeep to amend line item 107723 from $3,000 to $1,000 so that expenditures under that line require Council approval; Councilman Rick Merritt seconded and the motion carried. Town Administrator Jonathan Teichert presented departmental budgets before the vote.

The meeting also finalized land-use and administrative matters. The Council approved Ordinance 640 on third reading to rezone Lot 3 of the Burton Twinhome Addition from R-3 (Mixed Residential) to GCD (General Commercial District) following the required public notices and Planning & Zoning review. The body accepted a Planning & Zoning recommendation and authorized a boundary adjustment plat enlarging the Kilroy property as presented by Sunrise Engineering.

On utilities policy, the Council debated whether to continue allowing properties outside the municipal limits to connect to the town water and sewer. Town Attorney Dale Cottam summarized the trade-offs: "selling water and sewer to residents and businesses that do not live within the Town boundaries provides income to the Town as well as helps with economic growth. However, if they are not annexed into the Town, Afton does not receive the taxation revenues." Mayor Joel Neuenschwander then presented Ordinance 641 to limit future service to properties within municipal boundaries; the ordinance passed on first reading (motion by Councilman Rick Merritt, second by Councilman Jason C. Inskeep).

Other actions included authorizing a three-year audit agreement with Jones Simkins, approving a lease with Lincoln County for the Simplot Ball Fields, and passing Resolution 2017-04 and Ordinance 642 on first reading to form a local improvement district for the Haderlie Fifth Addition. On a separate motion, the Council voted to fund Lucky's Place at $1,400 per year (request was $2,800) with an annual contract renewal and acceptance of Town dogs; the motion was made by Councilman Inskeep and seconded by Councilman Tom Davis.

At the Mayors request, several procedural moves were recorded: the consent agenda (May minutes, business licenses and bills) was approved; the Council entered executive session at 7:45 p.m. to discuss a potential acquisition and reconvened at 8:50 p.m. with no action taken; the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Votes at a glance: amendment and adoption of Ordinance 639 (mover: Jason C. Inskeep; second: Rick Merritt; outcome: approved); adoption of Ordinance 640 (mover: Tom Davis; second: Rick Merritt; outcome: approved); first reading of Ordinance 641 (mover: Rick Merritt; second: Jason C. Inskeep; outcome: approved); authorization of three-year audit contract with Jones Simkins (mover: Jason C. Inskeep; second: Rick Merritt; outcome: approved); approval of boundary adjustment plat (mover: Rick Merritt; second: Jason C. Inskeep; outcome: approved); funding Luckys Place at $1,400/year (mover: Jason C. Inskeep; second: Tom Davis; outcome: approved); lease authorization for Simplot Ball Fields (mover: Jason C. Inskeep; second: Tom Davis; outcome: approved); approval of Resolution 2017-04 and first reading of Ordinance 642 creating the Haderlie Fifth Addition LID (mover: Jason C. Inskeep; second: Rick Merritt; outcome: approved).

The Council scheduled its next regular meeting for Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. at Afton Town Hall.