Author photo

By Candie Fix
Managing Editor 

Haxtun Health reports plans for old Smith Hardware

 

December 16, 2020



Big things are coming to Haxtun’s main street. Members of the Haxtun Town Council heard plans for the old Smith Hardware building from Dewane Pace, Haxtun Health’s Chief Executive Officer. Haxtun Health purchased the building at 125 South Colorado Avenue this fall.

Pace told town council members that demolition of the old building would begin soon and construction of a new, two-story building would follow. After the purchase of the building, Haxtun Health circulated a community survey to gain input on what to do with the space. According to Pace, top results included relocating the clinic, pharmacy and physical therapy spaces into the new building that will go up on main street. In addition, community members expressed interest in several other wellness related options and a coffee shop.

Pace told the Council plans are to put the clinic on the back side of the new building, towards the alley way, physical therapy in the middle and the retail pharmacy at the front, nearest the sidewalk along Colorado Avenue.

Purchase and construction of the new building is happening, Pace said, with grant funds, which means there is a timeline that must be followed. Plans are to begin demolition soon, with construction of the new facility to begin right away with hopes to have the project completed by June 2021.

Pace also told council members that Haxtun Health would like to purchase property directly behind the building, which once was the grocery store. If purchased, that space would be used for parking for the new facility.

Later in the meeting, several council members commented on the positivity of the project and what the facility could do to help main street and the community as a whole. They also agreed the Town should help where possible with the project.

After hearing from Pace, the Council moved onto the proposed 2021 budget as well as resolutions that go with including one to set the mill levy. Each year the mill levy is set using assessed values from the Phillips County Assessor’s Office. Haxtun’s 2020 assessed value is $7,795,080. That number is up from $7,770,110 in 2019. The 2021 mill levy was set at 22.63.

At the start of the Monday, Dec. 7 meeting, the Council held a public hearing in relation to the 2021 proposed budget to which no community members were present. Following some discussion, next year’s budget was approved as was a resolution for a 2020 supplemental budget.

According to Town Clerk Karie Wilson, a supplemental budget for the current budget was necessary for a number of unexpected purchases from the general fund including $75,000 for a new street sweeper, $40,000 in expenses related to the June 9 storm damage as well as other purchases with COVID relief funds. There was also an additional $18,000 spent from the sanitation fund for repairs to the trash truck.

Later, during discussion items, council members discussed funding for the Director position with the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce. For the past several years, the Town of Haxtun has contributed $4,800 annually to the Chamber to help fund the Director position.

Although the line item was included in the 2021 budget, council members later voted to suspend payment to the Chamber for 2021, which equals $400 a month. That vote was unanimous.

In other business the Town Council:

• Discussed collaboration with Phillips County for COVID relief funds. The Town will receive new picnic tables and barricades with funds. Some money was also used for attorney fees and personal protective equipment purchases;

• Opted to not host an employee Christmas party this year and instead will give an additional $100 to each employee on top of what was given last year. Full-time employees will receive a $350 VISA gift card and part-time employees will get a $250 VISA gift card. Gift cards will be purchased at the Haxtun Community Federal Credit Union. The Town of Haxtun currently has nine full-time employees and one part-time employee;

• Approved an ordinance pertaining to outside city limit water service;

• Received word that the Haxtun Swimming Pool committee has been very active over the past several months and over the past few weeks have taken in more than $20,000 in pledges and in-kind donations;

• The following building permits were approved: Todd Workman, 126 South Max Avenue for siding and gutter replacement; Dan Firme, 215 East Strohm Street for a re-roof; Knode Realty, 221 South Colorado Avenue to replace the front door; Cash Cochran, 141 North Colorado Avenue for a house remodel and new garage; Cash Cochran, 242 South Colorado Avenue, shop building; Warren Edwards, 234 East Raymond Street for a shop; Kristin Hadeen, 207 East Second Street for a garage door; Kristin Hadeen, 207 East Second Street to replace gutters; Brandon Biesemeier, 217 South Colorado Avenue to remodel the building; Ryan Kanode, 527 South Utah Avenue to reside a house; Andrew Wernsman, East Raymond Street to add onto a porch; Damon Lundgren, 242 West Fletcher Street for a concrete patio; and Kyle Wilson, 234 North Washington avenue for a bathroom remodel.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024