Everly hoping to re-light city park for holidays

The Everly City Council is hoping to spark some Christmas cheer for local residents.

Council members on Monday night approved the purchase of new holiday lights for Everly Community Park. The $2,500 expense will be covered using Local Option Sales Tax revenue with the hope of hanging new lights this year.

"We're pushing the outside edge of this thing," admitted Mayor Ron Thompson, who said a handful of residents had approached him about lighting the park again. "I know it's extra work for [city staff], but I think it adds a lot to the community when you go through town."

Lighting the park had been a Christmastime tradition in Everly for several years; however, lights were not hung last year. According to discussion, it takes dedicated man-hours to prep the park for the holidays each November.

Thompson and the council were more than willing to bring the tradition back.

"It's so beautiful to see when you come over the top of the hill," said Council Member Denise Cook.

Priority will be given to lighting the shelter house and schoolhouse first. The council was supportive of accepting donations from community members in the future to light additional areas.

• Cost increase for law enforcement services approved

Clay County Sheriff Chris Raveling presented a revised 28E agreement that would increase contracted law enforcement services by 10 percent. The new annual price will rise from $37,880 to $41,338.

The agreement with Everly hasn't been increased in 10 years. According to Raveling, operating costs have increased drastically across the board. He also noted that his office has dedicated more time to Everly than contracted for during the past three years, but he hasn't billed for the extra time.

According to discussion, Everly is contracted for 20 hours of law enforcement service per week.

"We've gone above and beyond that," Raveling said.

The city council unanimously approved accepting the increase starting in the next fiscal year. City Attorney Dennis Cmelik will review the agreement before final approval.

In a separate discussion with Raveling, Thompson agreed to discuss with Cmelik the enforcement of city dog ordinances. Raveling said Cmelik told his office he would not prosecute dog-related infractions, which has led deputies to not write tickets when problems arise.

Raveling said he had no issue writing citations as long as they're prosecuted.

"It doesn't do any good to write it if he's gonna dump it, and I think that would be frustrating as a city," Raveling said.

Thompson believed better communication would resolve the issue.

"We'll get that squared away," he said.