Letter to the Editor: George's Alderman Highlights

George’s Alderman Highlights – April 18, 2011

City Bonds & Taxes:  As reported in detail last month, the real estate tax for bonds may need to increase 2 cents because of property assessments being reduced.  This money can only be used to pay off bonds. We will know in September, when property assessments are finalized, if a 2 cents increase is the best way to keep our bond fund solvent. This issue requires a lot of guessing about future property values out to the year 2024.  So I think we’ll have to keep reviewing the bond fund every year. Any bond fund surplus is limited to one year’s bond payment.

 City Employee Benefits:  Staff presented a survey of our benefit plan compared to other city benefit plans in both St. Charles and St. Louis Counties. Our benefits are similar to those for other cities with many details being different.  This data will help in formulating next year’s fiscal budget due in June.  Our fiscal year starts 1 July.

 Asphalts Overlays: We will resurface the following streets starting May 2 through May 20:

• Champaign Drive (Ardennes Place – Rue Grand Drive)
• Clermont Court
• Lakewood Drive (Lake Saint Louis Blvd – Lakeview Road)
• Normandy Drive (Savoy Drive – Orleans Court)
• Picardy Drive (Rue Grand Drive – Champagne Drive)
• Savoy Drive (Deloire Drive – Rue Grand Drive)
• Holloway Drive
• Regency Circle
• Brenton Court

Parking on these streets will be prohibited between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The contractor will deliver notifications of more specific closure times to the residents of the affected streets two days before construction starts. If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time, you must move your vehicles into the driveway or make other arrangements. Call Jailall Jairam in the Public Works Department at 636-695-4221 for more information.

 Sales Tax: For the first 9 months of the current fiscal year, sales tax income is up slightly.  This is very good news and we’ll see if this trend continues.