Local sales tax shows increase

June 11, 2024 |

By John Martin
Staff Writer

Collections of sales tax for City of Harrah for April based on business during the month of February reached the $300,000 mark for only the second time during the fiscal year.
The total of $300,042 pushed the total for the year to $2,867,270. Budgeted total is $300,000 monthly and $3.6 million for the fiscal year.
Highest monthly total for the current year was $302,660 in November.
The current total marks a vast improvement from the previous month when the revenue from sales tax collections in the city was only $244,012, lowest of the year. For the same period a year ago, the total was $274,802.
The total collections for the previous fiscal year was $3,466,443
PUBLIC HEARING
The City of Harrah will hold a public hearing on the FY 2024-25 budget at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 6 at City Hall. Copies of the budget, including proposed revisions, are available at City Hall. Copies are available for 25 center per page.
The new budget proposal is for $15,809,41 with a list of revenues needed to fund
items on the budget.
CONCERT IN THE PARK.; The Concert featuring the Forty Roses band has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harrah Heritage Park. Food Trucks will be available. Admission is free and residents are urged to bring lawn chairs.
SPLASH PAD. The Splash Pad in the Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and admission is free but children must have adult supervision.
SENIOR CENTER. The Harrah Senior Center is back in business with
exceptional turnout, serving 1,135 meals at the Center with another 712 homebound. In addition, there were 140 homebound frozen meals.
The buses were in service 22 days in April and served 2,453 residents. Of that
total, 66 were for medical reasons, 1,383 for nutrition, 128 for education, 104 for shopping and personal needs and 772 miscellaneous.
The two dances netted a profit of $120.
In other action, the Board voted:
• Change the time of Regular Meetings of Harrah City Council from 6 pm to
Special Meetings of the Harrah City Council to 10 am. Dates to remain as previously set.
• Purchase of 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe $30,000 and 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe
$30,000 from the City of Mustang
Approved the following items:
• Concert in the Park, Jack Adam’s Band August 17, 2024, from 6 to 9 pm
not to exceed $1,200.00.
• Movie in the Park Guardian of the Galaxy III, August 24, 2024, at Dusk not
to exceed $850.00.
• Sponsorship for a Transportation Alternatives Program Application and
Maintenance Commitment for school sidewalks grant amount of $958,802
• Project Sponsorship for a Transportation Alternatives Program Application
and Maintenance Commitment for Downtown Sidewalks grant amount of $1,233,7890

Webb named Teacher of the Year

Harrah High School math teacher Jennifer Webb is the District 2024 Teacher of the Year. She accepts a check for $1,000 from Superintendent Paul Blessington at the end of year dinner for faculty. ‘(PHOTO PROVIDED)

There will be more fireworks in Harrah during the Independence Day celebration in 2024;.

The Harrah City Council has considered an extension for the use of fireworks in city limits to include either Sunday, June 30 through July 4 or Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7. Existing regulations apply.

The Council approved the Movie in the Park Guardians of the Galaxy on August 31, 2024, in the Amphitheater in Harrah Heritage Park , with expenses not too exceed $850.

PROPERTY NUISANCES. Weeds or grass over 12 inches high is considered a nuisance and residents are urged to contact the Code Enforcement Officer at 405-454-1203 to provide the address of the property in violation.

Standing water that has become stagnant or swimming pools should be reported as these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Swimming pools have to be de-chlorinated before draining. If a pool cannot be de-chlorinated, it can only be drained into the city sewer system.

The Council approved:

A Service Agreement with Pottawatomie County Safety Center and the City of

Harrah for FY 2024-2025 with a rate increase to $60 per inmate per day. (present cost is $50 per inmate per day)

Harrah Senior Center to use remaining ARPA funds of $4,833 and their

remaining Capital Outlay Funds of $5,481.99 to purchase a car.

REAP Grant Contract grant amount $132,362.50

UPCOMING:EVENTS INCLUDE:

Farmers Market: First and third Saturday, May to September, North End of

Harrah Heritage Park, 9 a.m. to noon.

May 18: Polish Festival, 4 p.m. on Main Street
August 24: Taco Fest on Main Street, 4 p.m.

NEW COACH. HHS Athletic Director Guy Worth has announced the hiring of a new boys basketball coach at Harrah High School in Eli Robertson, a native of Tecumseh and graduate of Southwest Christian University. He has five years coaching experience.

Robertson replaces Garrett Munger, who returned to coach at Wister after one year at Harrah.