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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Approving a resolution for HB 265 coal severance line-item projects in the amount of $50,000 in a meeting this week, Mayor Eddie Manning asked Evarts council members to make a list of projects they feel the city needs most.

“Personally, I’d like to pay off some things coming up in the future, because coal severance funds have dropped so much,” said Manning. “There’s fire truck payments that will be harder to make with the drop in coal severance. The Department for Local Government told us we can use these funds for fire truck payments. This will pay our part off for the fire truck. City Hall is in dire need of a new roof, which will need to be replaced within the next two years. We have to spend this money. It can’t be banked and saved. We can’t keep depending on coal severance, it’s dropping tremendously.”

Councilman Clark Cusick said a roof was also needed at the city’s water plant.

“I think it will be good to spend the money on things we know is coming up,” said Manning. “If we pay the fire truck off for our part, that will be $4,500 we know won’t be coming out of future coal severance. That’s planning ahead. If we spend it on a roof, we know this will save us money in the long run. We’ve had to put out a lot of money on city vehicle repairs, that’s another thing we need to look at. The vehicles are old and falling apart. I think everybody needs to think of what the city needs most and be involved in how the money is spent.”

In other action the council:

*Heard a report from Fire Chief Cledo Powers, noting Kentucky State Fire and Rescue personnel will be training his department on disaster and emergency planning next week. He also told council he and his department have been visiting elementary schools teaching fire safety to students. Powers said at a recent roadblock, his department collected approximately $500 in donations, which will help with the Christmas Treats program;

*Learned from Manning that the Evarts Fire Department now has 27 volunteer firefighters. He commended Powers on this accomplishment;

*Had first reading of Ordinance 2012-10 levying the annual ad valorem tax for city purposes in the corporate limits. A second reading will be held at a special called meeting on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.;

*Complimented the police department on the anti-bullying campaign;

*Noted Walnut, Keister and Sergent streets will be blocked off for trick or treating on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com