Refinancing and approving next year’s operating budget were items on the forefront at Ironton City Council’s regular meeting on Monday.

“We are going to refinance several thingxs at a lower interest rate,” Rich Blankenship, Ironton mayor, said. “We are going to consolidate items and present it to the treasurer to get an interest rate of about 1 and a half percent.”

Refinancing for Memorial Hall demolition, backflow preventers and the city’s Vac-Con wastewater truck will be put before the treasurer.

At its Aug. 8, 2013, meeting, the Ironton City Council had third and final readings of an ordinance to demolish Memorial Hall. All seven council members voted in favor.

The 120-year-old monument to the Grand Army of the Republic and former city government building has long been a topic of discussion for city and county leaders and veterans groups with no party willing or able to pay for the dilapidated structure’s restoration.

Once the building is demolished and the debris is removed, the site will be turned into a pocket park and veterans memorial.

A backflow prevention assembly is used to protect potable water supplies from contamination or pollution due to backflow.

In water supply systems, water is normally maintained at a significant pressure to enable water to flow from faucets, showerheads and other devices. When pressure fails or is reduced, as may happen if a water main bursts, pipes freeze or there is unexpectedly high demand on the water system, then such reduced pressure in the pipe may allow contaminated water from the ground, from storage or from other sources to be drawn up into the system.

Council also voted to file the city’s budget with the county auditor and approved a temporary budget from which to operate until the final budget is approved.