Tax rate set, baseball fields leased to MV-BT School District

In two meetings, the Mountain Board of Alderman set the tax rate and approved leasing the baseball fields to the Mountain View-Birch Tree School District.

In a special meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 29, the Mountain View Board of Alderman voted to accept Bill 1376 Resolution 23-08-29 authorizing the board to set the city property tax for the year of 2023 to $0.00. Mountain View has not had a property tax in several decades and continues to not collect one.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, the board of alderman approved a resolution which authorizes an agreement between the City of Mountain View and the Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III School District for the lease of the Herb Henry Baseball Field.

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Chowning was present at the meeting and stated, “The district wanted a partnership between the school and the city.” An agreement was needed from the school in order to justify spending patron money on improvements that the facility needed.

In other business, the board of aldermen approved the consent agenda; heard updates from the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce Director; and then heard an update from Robin McCullough on the Buck Nelson Festival.

In new business, Ordinance 1744, Offense Against Public Order and Safety had its first reading and Mountain View Fire Chief Jason Taber was granted permission to apply for a conservation grant for the department.

Operations Manager Eddie Owens presented three bids to council for the remaining concrete work at the Mountain View City Pool. A motion was made by Alderman Steven Sills to accept bid number one by L.P. Iron and Dirtwork in the amount of $24,808 plus concrete, after approval of funding. Owens stated that the city will purchase the concrete in an effort to save money. The bid was approved with an all-in-favor from the board.

Owens then spoke on purchasing a brush mower for approximately $5,000. The cost would be split between the four departments that would use it. The request was approved.

Assistant Chief of Police Stetson Schwein asked permission from the board to approve special parking enforcement for the upcoming Pioneer Days. The request was approved.

Before going into closed session, the board discussed the Columbus Day holiday and decided to not include it on the list of holidays for the city. City Clerk Sara Chowning updated the board on the upcoming Wreaths Across America on December 16. There will be a wreath laying ceremony for the 184 veterans who are laid to rest at Veteran’s Cemetery and Greenlawn Cemetery.