Kimberly City Council members discussed a steady increase in hours worked since 2009, amounting to a hike in payroll costs of more than 50 percent per pay period, during their regular meeting on Jan. 10.

Mayor Craig Harris requested that police department management meet with the council to discuss ways to reduce hours worked, as the increase in payroll cost was approaching unsustainable levels.

Harris informed the council that he authorized two emergency expenses, one for removing trees in danger of falling on a roadway for $2,300, the other for removal of the primary emergency radio tower, which was damaged during repairs to the fire department’s septic tank. The latter cost of $1,350 will be reimbursed by the septic-tank repair contractor. The radio system is operating off a temporary tower in the interim.

The council also voted to pay the cost of installing a new tower up front, with reimbursement from the contractor.

In other business, the council:

• Tabled a motion to require applicants for annexation into the city to pay to have a fire hydrant within 1,000 feet of the property, if one isn’t in place already, to maintain the integrity of city’s insurance rating.

• Authorized the fire department to spend no more than $13,500 out of escrow funds to purchase six sets of turnout gear for the city’s full-time firefighters.

• Approved a request from the Mortimer Jordan High School Choir to set up two fundraising road blocks on Feb. 4 and March 3, so the choir could attend a contest in St. Louis.