Two professionals decline to bid for city contracts

Local auditor KPM CPAs, based out of Springfield and Branson, Mo., did not submit a proposal for services rendered to the city of Mountain View, the board heard last week. In the same meeting, current City Attorney Deedra Nicholson said that Cantrell & Nicholson, LLC, of Mountain View, would not submit a proposal for professional services in response to the city's request for proposals. 

 

The city received one proposal for audit services, which was approved during the Tuesday, Nov. 18 meeting. The city's annual audit will be performed by Overland Park-based FPG Tax and Accounting at a cost of $41,200.

 

The RFP for city attorney turned up two proposals, notably missing a proposal from the current city attorney. Laubers submitted a proposal along with Williams. After a brief discussion, it was decided to get more information before making a final decision as neither of these law firms are local.

 

During closed session of this meeting, the board approved the promotion of the assistant chief of police, Stetson Schwien to the position of chief. Since James Perkins resigned as chief of police earlier this month, the need to remove him as a signer on the bank accounts was done during Tuesday's meeting as well. Former Treasurer Jennifer Jennings, who resigned on October 10, was also replaced as a bank account signer by Chris Reeves.

 

City Clerk Terry Thornton presented information on waiving health insurance for city employees. Mayor Charry McCann told the board that MIRMA presented the 2026 rates for health insurance and they increased by 3.9% which would cost $729.00 per employee. Thornton went on to say that two employees with the city of Mountain View, one being herself, currently do not use the city provided health insurance because they have other health insurance. Thornton mentioned that some companies do give an incentive or offer other options.

 

"MIRMA said they do not mind us offering options or incentives to not take the coverage," Thornton stated. She went on to explain that she learned Lawson, Mo., gives their employees $300 a month and that MIRMA and the IRS says you can give cash. If the city gave $50 to $75 a week it would save the city $400 a month per employee, she suggested.

 

Mayor McCann responded, "I'm thinking that we come up with a plan and bring the plan back to the council." Thornton interrupted the mayor with, "You do not have time to do that! I apologize. I just got the MIRMA numbers today. Their open enrollment ends December 9."

 

Ultimately, the board decided to get some more information and move the discussion to a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 25.

 

Other agenda items included:

- Approval of minutes from the October 14, October 30, November 10 and November 13 meeting. Minutes for the closed session meeting on October 17 were not approved;

- Signing of proclamation for "Wreaths Across America Day" was signed for December 13.

- Approval of financial report showing the city in good standing, along with approving claim reports and department reports

- Approval of an invoice from Source Point (utility bill cards) in the amount of $1,140.11

- Approval of Bill 1455 Ordinance 1790-Airport Improvement Grant. This is an agreement between the city of Mountain View and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for state block grant Project 25-104B-2 providing airport improvements at the Mountain View Municipal Airport.