The second reading of a controversial proposed ordinance for fees charged to city government agencies was considered for approval by the Marshall City Council on Monday, October 4.

Ward 2 Councilman Kirk Arends explained the general reason for the ordinance.

Marshall Municipal Utilities’ Board of Public Works’ President Wick Jacobi asked for the council to at least look over information prior to voting on the ordinance.

Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Guthrey agreed that it might not be a bad idea to talk to department heads prior to voting.

Arends said they have talked about this particular ordinance for a while now.

MMU General Manager Jeff Bergstrom explained all of the information MMU had put together for the council to peruse.

New City Administrator JD Kehrman said it’s up to the city council on the next step to take.

After having the discussion, Arends made a motion to approve the ordinance. His motion was seconded by Ward 1 Councilman Leon Thompson.

Councilmen Arends, Leon Thompson and Ward 2’s Robert Ashford voted to approve; Guthrey and Ward 4 Councilman Craig Thompson voted no; and Ward 1 Councilman Dewey Hendrix abstained. Ward 3 Councilman Dan Brandt was absent; and the Ward 4 Council seat vacated by the resignation of Harold Simmons in September has not been filled yet. A city official says the city is seeking legal advice as to whether or not the ordinance actually passed. The ordinance calls for the city clerk to quarterly collect and pay into the general fund of the city one-half of one percent of the gross revenue collections of the city’s Board of Public Works, Marshall Tourism Commission, Park Board and Band Commission as reimbursement for administrative services and costs provided by the city.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION AT THE AUDIO LINK BELOW…