Jim Behymer and Jeff Lyng will be sworn into office as council members Tuesday

By ANN PIERCEALL

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- The Hannibal City Council will hear the first reading Tuesday night of two ordinances that help improve Hannibal's streets, and two council members -- Terry Hull and Jeff Hatton -- will be stepping down.

Newly elected members Jim Behymer (Fifth Ward) and Jeff Lyng (Sixth Ward) will be sworn into office. The two ordinances will be read for the reorganized council.

The first ordinance will approve voters' decision on April 8 to continue a half-cent sales tax for street improvements and increase its regular street maintenance program.

The second ordinance approves the formation of the Hannibal Municipal Assistance Corporation as a non-profit organization to assist with the bonds that will be sold to finance street improvements. The city plans to issue $5.1 million in revenue bond financing to tackle improvements to the city's roads at a faster pace.

"Now that the voters have approved (the street improvement plan), we have to pass an ordinance ratifying their decision and send it to the Department of Revenue. It's a formality," said City Manager Jeff LaGarce.

Before the April vote, the city was unable to issue a 10-year bond when its repayment source -- the half-cent sales tax for street improvements -- was designed to sunset every five years.

Voters removed the sunset clause for the street improvement sales tax, opening the door to the financing option. The measure passed with 1,087 voting for the sales tax and 368 voting against.

LaGarce said the new tax will go into effect in October. The former tax remains in effect until then.

The council also will decide on an agreement with Marion County to split the cost of nuisance abatement for properties controlled by the county trustee.

--apierceall@whig.com/(573) 221-5879