CEYLON– Ceylon City Council held its February meeting on Tuesday evening and discussed the interest rate on the CD’s at the Portage Bank in Ceylon. It was concerned that there may be an opportunity to get higher rates elsewhere. Some quotes were 4 percent + while the rate they are getting now is .4 percent+. The water and electric CD’s need to be available for those expenses but the savings or checking money could be getting more interest.

Judith Perkins and Mayor John Gibeau will look into some other resources and report back to the council. It was agreed that the City should have an account that it could use if a larger expense such as replacement of equipment is needed.

The council approved the City depository to be Portage Bank in Ceylon and the City Attorney to stay the same. It discussed the locate expenses charged by REA for broadband locations and the locating of utilities when the construction company made mistakes. Some money was budgeted for locates but the council felt that that was part of the contract with REA and so it would be covered by the grant.

The council expressed disappointment with the management company that should have informed the City of all contingencies and did not. The location of utilities when the construction mistakes were made should be paid by the construction company.

Moving to other matters, City employees reported that the 75,000 BTU heater in the water treatment plant is 20 years old and has a hard time keeping up with the 55 degree water coming in. The heater is a ceiling hung heater and the council discussed getting some bids for a furnace like forced air or infrared heating. The increase in electricity costs coming up was also mentioned.

In other news:

— Council reports asked for better communication with city hall on the part of the council members.

— The fire association meeting was discussed. New helmets and radios are needed. Used infrared imaging equipment from Welcome may be available for purchase. The EMS will likely be raising their costs. Some retirees are not attending meetings or fire calls and should possibly not be earning retirement.

— Judith Perkins is working on clarification, revisions and changes needed to the city codes and ordinances. The city clerk and the council will help later.

— A grant writer possibility was reported. Jody Scott will look into it.

— The cemetery meeting was held and tree replacements were discussed. John Gibeau reported that trees in the center of the cemetery will not be replaced. The cemetery book is in use again.

— The 88th annual Ceylon Community Day is scheduled for April 15, 2023.

The next meeting of the Ceylon City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 14 at Ceylon City Hall.