BERNIE, Mo. - The Bernie Board of Aldermen approved liquor permit renewals for four businesses inside the city at their regular meeting Monday night. The city must renew these permits on an annual basis. There was no opposition present at the meeting and all four businesses had representatives present. The aldermen approved renewed permits for Casey's General Store, Pat's Place, Danny Boys and Dollar General.
Mayor James Tilmon said the city policy concerning sick leave is to buy back sick leave when an employee has accumulated more than 160 hours. He said the city pays the employee for half of their unused sick leave. Requests were made by a few employees to utilize the policy, Tilmon said.
Tilmon also said the city had $100 in a Fire Truck Replacement account which had begun to be assessed at $10 fees. He said the aldermen voted to move that money to the Volunteer Fire Fund to save money.
The aldermen also approved removing the name of a the past city superintendent as an authorized signature on the Community Center checking account. The aldermen voted to add Hester Robertson's name as an authorized signature on the account.
The aldermen authorized Tilmon to negotiate natural gas prices with Atmos Energy for the next quarter. The city buys the natural gas at a negotiated wholesale price and then sells it to customers inside the city. The natural gas bill is included on the city utility bill which also includes water, sewer and trash pick-up.
The Board of Aldermen moved their meeting time to 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month during the winter months.