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Mayor Tim Lowery Highlights

His First Budget: $37 Million

By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council met this week to discuss several topics, including the budget for fiscal year 2020. The city’s fiscal year runs from Dec. 1 to Nov. 30. The mayor presents a budget to the council, who discuss and possibly change it. The council then votes on the final budget.

In his first budget message, Mayor Timothy Lowery highlighted some of the budget items. The budget is just over $37 million, Lowery said.

“A healthy reserve is crucial,” Lowery said. He said that the reserve balance should be over 33% of the general fund.

Sales tax and utility tax are the biggest revenue generators for the city, Lowery said. He added that both were going down. This is reflected in the deficit in the general fund, he said. The deficit is $1.9 million, which will require funds from the reserve balance.

Lowery recommends hiring a part-time grant writer to help the city apply for grants. He said the city had already taken steps to reduce technology costs and would continue to do so.

The city is also undergoing an energy saving program, Lowery said. H said that the city’s economic development is crucial to its success and noted that several businesses have opened in the last year.

After the mayor’s message, the council held a public hearing on the budget. No residents spoke at the hearing.

The council held a second public hearing about a special use permit request by Girls Getta Grip Gun Club to allow for an Educational Development Center for the property at 45 St. Anthony Lane. This is near the intersection of New Florissant Road and St. Anthony Lane.

GIRLS GETTA GRIP GUN CLUB

Mary Edwards-Fears spoke to the council about the proposal. She is a retired police captain. She said she had been planning for the project for two years. She said that she and her husband researched the issue and realized that many women have guns, but they don’t practice with them.

She added that when women go to gun ranges sometimes make women feel intimidated. The instructors can be condescending and other men can think the women are there to meet men.

Councilman Joseph Eagan asked what age group the facility would target. Edwards-Fears said they would target mature women who are serious about being safe with their guns.

The staff has four members far, Edwards-Fears said. The facility in Florissant would be classroom training only. Edwards-Fears has purchased a van to transport students to shooting ranges. Serious gun owners are ready for classroom instructions, she said. She said her staff would examine the guns to make sure that they are range-ready. Students would attend at least three sessions in the school before going to the gun range.The council held a first reading on the bill that would approve the center.

The third public hearing was about a request by Planet Fitness to open a fitness club at 175 Flower Valley Shopping Center. Keith Poettker spoke on behalf of Planet Fitness.

Councilman Tommy Siam noted that the space has been vacant for a while and said that the fitness center would be a good fit.

The council held a first reading on the bill that would approve the fitness center.

Poettker said the construction would take four to five months after all permits are acquired.

IN OTHER ACTION, THE COUNCIL:

Passed a bill moving money from one sewer lateral account to another.

Passed several bills moving money from one city account to another.