A tantalizing taste of rain fell far short of expectations and needs and area crops continued to suffer along with all green and growing things. The total of rain was only .6 of an inch when four inches or more were badly needed.

After approving some changes in the proposed 1985 city budget, the commission approved on first reading the offerings of city manager Buford Watson. The spending total of $32,234,810 called for a decrease of .321 of a mill in the property tax levy. The total levy was to run 43.979 mills. Heated discussion arose over a proposal to cut $5,000 in state alcohol tax revenues from Women’s Transitional Care Services and give the money to the Douglas County Citizens Committee on Alcoholism. The cut was approved.

A planned expansion of Constant Park into the 500 block of Tennessee Street got a boost when the city commission approved an agreement to acquire a house at 532 Tenn. The house of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Stene, then living in Arkansas, was appraised at $51,500. The Stenes agreed to sell for $36,500 and consider the other $15,000 as a gift to the city.