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Popcorn Festival requests financial support  Share
The ''largest single event'' in the City of Casey, the Popcorn Festival, requested funding at the July 6 council meeting. However, in an unusual twist, festival organizer, Bernie Morgan, said the festival investment would be paid back with dividends. Morgan introduced the festival committee and Mary Gard, festival accountant, offered to make available any financial statements for the volunteer-based event, held Labor Day weekend in Fairview Park. Gard and First Neighbor Bank of Casey, provide the accounting service non-gratis. Morgan explained that while the expenses to support the festival continue to increase, the income remains the same. ''We're looking at new areas of marketing and ways to create more revenue,'' he added. He pointed out the community involvement and community ownership of the festival. ''It belongs to all of us,'' he added. ''We're requesting additional tourism funding, but will return it in dividends,'' Morgan said. He based estimates on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's calculations that each dollar invested in a community is re-spent seven times. He explained to the council the revenue created, plus tourism and sales tax produced as a result of what is brought in by festival vendors, many of them local organizations, and local business during the festival. Of eight local businesses polled, all indicated the festival weekend was one of the biggest of the year; two reported it was the single biggest volume weekend. ''Our investment will not compromise the tourism fund,'' Morgan said.
''We respectfully request the city and tourism fund partner with us for $13,000,'' he said. This year's festival will be held Sept 5, 6 and 7. The council approved use of the park for this schedule. The funding request was referred to committee. The city's financial assistance for the 2008 festival was $4,000. Casey Police Chief Mark Jenkins presented the council with a signed collective bargaining agreement for the police department's union, the Fraternal Order of Police. The three-year contract began May 1, 2009 and expires April 30, 2012. It calls for salary increases in annual increments of 0%, 2% and 2%. Jenkins reported there were some language changes during negotiations, as well as insurance premium changes. As a result, a grievance regarding vacation was dropped. Alderman Moe Wimbley cast the lone ''no'' vote to adopt the contract. He explained later that he was not against the contract itself, nor the police force getting salary increases, but took issue with a change in pay period hours (two-week pay periods) from 80 hours per pay to 100 hours. This change, Wimbley explained, affects salary, and benefits, especially holiday pay and vacation time allotted, creating inequities with regard to benefits extended to city employees in other areas. Utilities Superintendent Shelby Biggs reported that Sewer Plant Foreman Mike Crites had to leave his position for health reasons. As a result, Gary Nohren has been named the new foreman and Bernie Morgan has requested a transfer from the street department to the sewer plant. Already shorthanded, Biggs asked the council to advertise for the street department position. Applications will be taken until July 23. The street and alley committee plans to meet July 23 to review applications and select candidates for interviews, which will be held July 29. Forty-nine applications are on file from previous openings and will be among those considered for employment. Finance Committee Chairman Dave Sauer presented the 2009-10 appropriations ordinance, totaling $11,796,286. The council approved the 10 day public posting and publishing of the ordinance. A public hearing will be held at 5:45 p.m. Monday, July 20, just prior to the regular council meeting. Commercial refuse rates were established at $16.50 per month for small commercial customers inside city limits; $19.50 for outside city limits. Large commercial customers' rates are each negotiated with the hauler based on volume and frequency of pickup, with the city's portion of $6 added for processing and handling billing of the service. The complete report on the council meeting will be published in the July 16 edition of the Casey Reporter. Marcy Shonk is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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