Kevin M. O'Keefe

The Board of Aldermen for the City of Bel-Ridge will hold a public hearing to allow citizens to comment on the proposed 2025 property tax rates for each class of taxable property. The assessed valuation for residential, commercial, and agricultural real property is provided for both 2024 and 2025. Estimated tax rates for 2025 are listed for each property type, along with the anticipated general revenue and the estimated increase in revenue over 2024.

The Board of Alderman meeting agenda included appointments to the Planning & Zoning, Parks & Recreation, and Board of Adjustment Commissions. A citizen participation segment was scheduled. The Consent Agenda included June 2022 disbursements. The City Clerk's report covered a potential new business license application, show cause hearings for license revocations for Dollar General and Dinner @ Londa's (both for failure to pay annual license fees), recommencement of annual commercial inspections, and a new full-time position for Public Works. Reports from Municipal Court, Public Works, and the Police Department were also on the agenda. The meeting also included time for unfinished and new business, board comments, and an executive session to discuss legal actions, causes of action, or litigation, and confidential or privileged communications.

The meeting addressed several key issues. The 2020 budget could not be approved due to a missing ordinance, requiring further review and questions from the board. Discussion included concerns about the Springdale Motel's use and whether it should be converted to apartments. A special meeting was planned to determine the 2020 tax rate, pending completion of the city audit. The board also discussed a public works request for a salt bin cover and re-adopted the 2018-21 conflict of interest policy. Committee reports included police activity updates, and public comments addressed a domestic issue.

The Bel-Ridge meeting agenda includes discussions on the Hanley demolition and water tap issue, business license fees, and the announcement of a new court clerk administrator. A resolution will be considered in support of the advancement of the NBR PE study for the Natural Bridge Road Great Streets Project. Approvals will be sought for the Director of Public Works to attend training and for the City Clerk to attend the New Clerk Spring Institute training. The meeting will also include a discussion of a condemnation petition from St. Louis County for the improvement of North Hanley Road. Committee reports from the Police Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, City Attorney, and Mayor and Board of Alderman will be presented. Public comments will be heard.