Kempner City Council, at its recent meeting, canceled the May 8 municipal election as none of the candidates were opposed.

Mayor Gene Isenhour read the Certification of Unopposed Candidates presented by the city secretary. “The certification states that the position of Mayor, Place 1 and Place 5 council seats were unopposed.”

Isenhour, Place 1 Councilman Paul Cook and Place 5 Councilwoman Melba Vandeveer will serve another term on the council.

In other action, the council amended the city’s sign ordinance to clarify placement of political signs.

Currently, the ordinance states that political signs may be erected no earlier than 90 days before the relevant election and must be removed not more than 10 days following the general or runoff election to which the sign pertains or after the termination of a candidacy, whichever occurs first.

Isenhour said this wording gives the option for candidates to leave their campaign signs up from the March primary until the general election in November. “That was not the intention of the ordinance,” he said.

After discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Paul Cook suggested the word “general” be deleted. The amended ordinance would read in part, “signs must be removed not more than 10 days following the election or runoff election to which the sign pertains.” The council approved the change.

The entire ordinance is available from City Hall.

In other business, the council approved the city’s fiscal year 2008-09 audit report. The report was presented by Preston Singleton of Singleton, Moore and Co., certified public accountants. Singleton said there were no deficiencies in internal controls, and the city of Kempner is in good financial shape.

“According to accounting principles, a city should have at least three months of operating funds available,” he said. “Based on estimated monthly expenditures and according to calculations, Kempner has approximately 13.5 months of operating funds in the fund balance.”

Isenhour said the audit informs citizens that the council is managing the city’s money very well, can meet its obligations and can keep Kempner moving forward.

Also last week, Penny Walker, owner of KempFire BBQ Restaurant, was on the agenda regarding a variance to the city sign ordinance. She withdrew her request, however, prior to the meeting.

In an update on the city park, Isenhour said the parking lot has been paved and parking spaces striped. The park is open during daylight hours so people can view the Veterans Memorial.

Assistant City Secretary Trudy Davis said that 228 granite commemorative stones have been laid at the memorial, another 28 have not been installed, and 13 more are on order. Persons who wish to honor a veteran with a stone may purchase them at Kempner City Hall.

The city plans a wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day May 31. Formal dedication ceremonies for the Sylvia Tucker Memorial Park are scheduled for July 11 at 2 p.m.

The mayor noted the ceremony is on a Sunday, but most of the Tucker family can attend then. A black granite memorial stone commemorating Mrs. Tucker will be installed prior to the dedication.

Kempner City Council will meet next on April 13 at 7 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.