Headlines
Town of Chelsea employees set to receive raises
June 26, 2009 — With more than $66,000 in carry over funds, the Town of Chelsea will be operating off of a $700,000 budget next year and town employees may be getting a raise.
Even though last month’s sales tax was only $29,000 — the lowest of the year so far — Town Administrator Kenny Weast said revenue, including the year’s total for sales tax income, is up.
“This is the best year for sales tax in Chelsea,” Weast said. “It’s the highest we’ve received since I’ve been here.”
Approximately $66,900 left over from the 2008-2009 budget was added to this year’s budget making the total budget $724,649.35. That amount includes approximately $686,000 in the general fund.
Not many changes were made to this year’s budget with the exception of employee raises.
Town employees haven’t received a raise in two years, according to Weast. But with a 6 percent raise budgeted this year, Weast is hopeful those raises will be given.
There are no projects slated for streets and alleys this year. The town’s emergency management department was allocated $1,000 and that amount may increase year by year.
“We will be able to give them more money as the revenue goes up,” Weast said. “They can use that money for storm spotting and radios and equipment.”
Town government is the second biggest account on the budget and includes salaries for Weast and newly appointed building official Dale Clark.
The police department’s budget was slashed by $34,000 for this year. The department has budgeted salaries for three full-time officers and one part-time officer, but only two full-time officers are currently employed.
Weast described the department as being “the biggest money eater” in the past, but stated for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the department came in under budget for the first time.
The parks department budget is normally around $360 per year with little changes, except for the 2008-2009 budget. Over the past few months, town officials have purchased and installed several new pieces of equipment, including new swings and a climber. The parks fund was allocated additional money to update and replace existing equipment at McSpadden Park.
For the 2009-2010 budget, $8,000 has been placed in the parks fund to build a pocket park in downtown Chelsea. The pocket park project originated during meetings held in the community concerning the revitalization of downtown Chelsea.
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NEW DORMS: RSU going more traditional
In just a year, Rogers State University will double the number of students sleeping, eating and studying on its campus. That’s twice the students walking to class in the morning. Twice the students calling RSU home.
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DEQ: Public drinking water in Oologah is safe
Public drinking water in the Oologah area is not contaminated by heavy metals from the local Public Service Company of Oklahoma power plant according to officials at PSO and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
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County will not use carryover for new hires
Rogers County Commissioners oppose spending money carried over from last year’s budget — in spite of county officers who say they need money now.
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Rogers County men arrested on burglary charges
Sheriff’s officers are hoping the recent arrest of two Rogers County men will halt a recent bout of burglaries.
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Crews zero in on courthouse design, cost
Rogers County’s new courthouse has been nudged over and stretched to take advantage of the closing of Missouri Street, according to schematics unveiled Monday.
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Sheriff: ‘Extraordinary’ need for new deputies
The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office may lose the ability to provide even basic services if it can’t hire more deputies this year, Sheriff Scott Walton told commissioners Monday.
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Symphony League hosts membership drive
The Claremore Symphony League will host a wine and cheese reception to launch the membership drive for 2010 - 2011. The reception, to be held at the Will Rogers Memorial on September the 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30, will feature wine tasting and the presentation of the Honorary Chairman of this season’s Symphony League Ball.
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Felony charges filed against former Chelsea chief of police
Formal charges were filed Thursday in Rogers County against a former Chelsea police chief.
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Report hits Oologah power plant for river pollution
Waste improperly handled by the AEP/PSO power plant in Oologah may be contaminating the Verdigris River, according to a report released this week.
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Groups support bicycle safety overhauls
Bicycling groups across the state said they support a new legislative package designed to protect riders and motorists. However, many cyclists are calling for the state to do more to educate residents and enforce existing laws and practices.
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