Kempner City Council, at Tuesday’s meeting, authorized Mayor Gene Isenhour to enter into negotiations for the purchase of property at U.S Highway 190 and Peach and Orchard streets on which could be constructed a new City Hall.

The council also directed the mayor to maintain an option for property at 340 Pecan St.

Action came following an executive session in which the council discussed property alternatives.

Prior to the regular meeting, council members looked at both properties that are about one acre each and about twice the size of the current City Hall property.

“We need to know what the final price would be for either property, so we total up the total cost of this project,” Isenhour said. “Then we can give the amount to our financial adviser and bond attorney so they can start the process of obtaining financing for the project.”

Isenhour added that the total cost of acquiring property and

construct­ing

a new City Hall could

approach $400,000.

“However, if we construct a new City Hall, we do not want to do

something just for the immedi­ate

future,” he said. “We need to plan for 20 or more years, and construct a facility that will meet the needs of the city for many years.”

In other business, City Auditor Jack Clark reviewed Kempner’s financial statement for the period ending June 30. “From a financial and budgetary position, the city is in good shape.”

Clark said the city’s revenue in the administration department was $231,198, with three months left to collect the $30,000 needed to meet its budget. Budgeted expenditures total $101,000 in that department, and currently the town has spent $68,000.

City sales tax receipts continue to be at or above budgeted amounts.

The auditor said if Kempner decides to purchase property and construct a new City Hall, a construction fund and an interest and sinking fund would have to be included in next fiscal year’s budget.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Isenhour updated the council on progress at the city park. He said additional covers for picnic table sites should be constructed soon, depending upon the weather.

The mayor also met recently with the city engineer and a

contractor concern­ing

a septic

system for the park. Test holes were dug to determine soil type

so a determina­tion

could be made

­on the appropri­ate

system required.

A septic system is needed for the park restrooms.

Isenhour said construction of the restrooms should begin in a few weeks. Also, some picnic tables will be ordered.

“I hope by the end of Septem­ber,

the restrooms and picnic area will be completed, and we can then open the park to the public during the daylight hours,” the mayor said.

Kempner City Council will meet next in regular session on Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. in City Hall Council Cham­bers.