Quincy approves 2020 budget

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council passed the city’s 2020 budget during a regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

City Clerk/Finance Officer Nancy Schanze said that some adjustments had been made to the budget to reflect current beginning funds. Some expected revenues for 2019 won’t be received until 2020. The final budget also reflects those revenues.

Council member Luke Garrison said that before approving the budget, the council should consider adding $300,000 to the budget for more fire personnel. He said that the money could bring the city up to 24/7 fire protection.

Mayor Paul Worley told the council that the city contracts with Grant County Fire District 3.

“If they want three more staff, they can get three more,” Worley said. “Then they raise what they charge us.”

The city’s attorney, Danielle Marchant, asked who on the council has work associations with the fire department. Garrison, Sonia Padron and David Durfee Jr. said they are volunteer firefighters.

The budget passed in its original final form.

In other business, Worley, along with members of the council and city staff thanked Durfee for his service to the city over the past four years. Durfee did not run in November’s election.

“I want to thank the community for allowing me to serve,” Durfee said. “It’s been great to be up here. I want to thank the council members. I’ve loved the discussion. I will be spending my time with my family. I want to thank them. They’ve probably suffered the most.”

This meeting was Durfee’s last. The man elected to the seat, Dylan Kling, will be sworn in at the next city council meeting.

The council approved a resolution to extend the lease on Quincy Airport. The Port of Quincy has leased the airport from the city since Feb. 9, 1995. The lease was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2019. The lease is now set to expire on Dec. 31, 2044.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@columbiabasinherald.com.