Town approves 2012 budget

MEEKER I In the final regular board meeting of 2012, the town of Meeker’s board of trustees worked their way through a lengthy agenda, including adopting the 2012 budget, approving several requests for liquor license renewals, a home-business permit and began setting the wheels in motion for the next municipal election.
On the April 2012 ballot, registered electors will be asked to grant the town permission to transfer ownership and responsibility for the Walbridge Wing to the hospital district.
Town clerk Lisa Cook recommended the town proceed with a mail ballot election in 2012 instead of a polling place election.
“In 2008 the mail ballot election had 26 percent voter turnout. It was our highest turnout since 1998 (28 percent), which had a ballot issue for a 1 percent increase in the sales tax that failed.”
“In other election years we’ve seen as little as 6, 7 and 15 percent voter turnout,” Cook said. “I recommend the mail ballot election.”
In other business, the board approved a home-based business permit to Jennifer Moody to operate a beauty salon at 888 Eighth St., and appointed Edie George and Nancy Ruder to the Meeker Housing Authority.