By Chris Post / Editor In Chief

The Marshall City Council reappointed three members of the park board and gave preliminary approval to the municipal utilities budget at its regular meeting Tuesday,

Incumbent park board members Robin Baker, Danielle Calanan and Scott Fann were all nominated for reappointment by Marshall Mayor Craig Thompson. With the approval of the city council, all will continue to serve until June 2029. 

Jeff Bergstrom, Marshall Municipal Utilities general manager, presented the budget which had been previously approved by the Board of Public Works. Bergstrom said the budget calls for more than $37 million in revenue without increasing rates for Marshall residents.

The utility budget also includes approximately $29 million in general expenses with $11 million in capital improvements. Bergstrom noted that there are no major capital improvement projects starting this year. Most of the allotted funds are to move forward with existing projects, he said.

With the approval of its first reading, the budget will be taken up again for final approval at the city council’s next meeting.

Thompson also took time during the meeting to clarify that the decision to lower the speed limits around the campus of Missouri Valley University was made during a special meeting on Aug. 25. At that time, representatives from the city met with MVU officials and staff from the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT was involved because the state controls the portion of Morrow Street that runs through the south side of the campus. 

Thompson told the council that in addition to the 15 mph signs installed Monday, the city is also planning to install flashing lights at the crosswalks near MVU. 

There has been renewed interest in improving the safety of the campus crosswalks since early August when an MVU student was struck while crossing Morrow Street. 

Finally, Thompson took a moment during Tuesday’s meeting to recognize City Clerk Julie Lewis. This September marks 30 years of service to the city for Lewis.