Isn’t it time to payoff a 20-year loan?

Op-Ed

Alexander Mayor Crystal Herrmann announced plans to take around One Million Dollars, she has stashed away for the 2027 budget, and use it for some needed projects. Listed under the proposed 2027 budget for the General Fund are expenditures for, “HVAC Units for the 3 remaining cottages, HVAC unit at Community Center #1, New roofs for cottages, Brownfield grant expense of $500,000.00, Design plan expense of $100,000.00, Property signs,” and “Increase community engagement (classes, etc.).”

While budgeting to replace items that are at an age where they can breakdown at any moment is good planning, there is one issue that has been pushed aside for the past 21 years. That would be the loan on city hall.

In 2005 the city took out two loans to buy, expand and renovate what is now city hall. The first loan was used to purchase what was the post office building and property for $364,000. The second loan of $56,000 funded improvements including the addition of the courtroom and a new roof connecting sections. The two loans were acquired through the United States Department of Agriculture. Shirley Johnson was mayor at the time.

Then, in 2017, Mayor Paul Mitchell learned the city had failed to establish a Debt Service Reserve account. Under the two loan agreements the city had 10 years to establish the account. The dollar amount must be equal to one year’s worth of premium payments. The amount needed for the account was $21,960.

At the April, 2017 council meeting Mitchell told council members the city had 10 years to comply when each loan was first taken out. Since the city didn’t have an extra $21,960 in the General Fund his suggestion was to take out a loan then use that money to establish the Debt Service Reserve account. Mitchell said the city could make monthly payments and potentially have enough unspent revenue in the General Fund, at the end of the year, to pay off the loan. The street department’s 2017 Mahindra Tractor was used as collateral on the low-interest loan.

It’s my understanding the city has mostly been paying on the interest, leaving the principal untouched. There’s been no mention of retiring this loan from the current administration. Isn’t it time to retire those loans? When the loans are eliminated the $21,960 can be returned to the general fund.

Michael Huck

Writer and Editor

Run-off election date and voting locations announced

The run-off election to decide who will occupy the Ward-4 Position-2 seat on the Alexander city council will be held on Tuesday, December 1. The run-off election is needed because no one received the required 50% plus one vote. On the ballot will be Trevis Bentley and current Council Member Juanita Wilson.

Bentley received 268 votes at 45.81-percent. Wilson has 214 votes at 36.58-percent. Stephanie Beck was the third candidate on the General Election ballot receiving 103 votes. These are the combined numbers from Saline & Pulaski counties.

Run-off Election Early Voting in Saline County:

Early voting for Saline County voters will be held at the Benton Vote Center, 221 N. Main Street, Benton. Early voting dates are Tuesday, November 24; Wednesday, November 25; Thursday, November 26; Closed Thanksgiving Day; Friday, November 27; and Monday November 30. The Vote Center will be open each day from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Run-off Election Day in Saline County:

Besides the Vote Center in Benton, registered voters living in Alexander will be able to vote at the Alexander Community Center #2, 14577 Highway 111. Voting day and time is Tuesday, December 1, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

Run-off Election Day in Pulaski County:

Pulaski County has not released information concerning the run-off election.

The end is nigh

After nearly 14 years The Alexandrian is closing shop. December 31 will be the last day.

The Alexandrian began as a paper copy describing the political happenings around Alexander posted in strategic locations throughout the city. In February, 2013 it was converted into first an online news site. Later, the Facebook version was established to announce new articles that had been posted to the news site.

The Facebook side has grown to share news postings from other sources that could be of interest to city residents. The occasional discussion has also broken out.

I post this now, prior to Tuesday’s election, as a statement that the election outcome has nothing to do with my decision. I made this decision early this year.

Since retiring from my previous employment in December, 2012, life has become busier not slower. I have more to do now than ever. Just without the driving.

Also, lately, it seems I add one more doctor to the list. I can only hope this second retirement reduces the stress.

This doesn’t mean I will totally disappear. I will still maintain the Facebook page. And, I may post the occasional Op-Ed. But for news about meetings, you’ll have to either go to them in person, or watch the video and try to figure out what they are saying on your own.

See you in the funny papers!

Alex N-der