GRAVETTE — The Gravette City Council in its committee meeting Monday night faced an unexpected problem: What to do with an extra $200,000.
That’s the “problem” the city of Gravette faced after they received its sales tax check from the state for the month of September. The check was for $250,728, about $200,000 more than is usually received each month.
Wisely, the City Council voted to put the extra $200,000 into the city’s reserve fund because ... well, because the state may want all or some of it back.
A similar distribution of funds occurred last year when the city received an unexpectedly large check for $122,016. Unfortunately, about $30,000 had to be refunded to the state because of the complex sales tax collection system that was initiated a couple of years ago.
The council and mayor are hopeful the city will be able to keep the entire check, but, wisely, the bulk of it, $200,000, will be held until it is determined it can remain in Gravette.
Other items of business were considered at the committee meeting which had been rescheduled from last week’s regular meeting date.
The council gave tacit approval to a new contract with Roll Off Sanitation Services, effective Jan. 1, 2011. The current $9.40 residential fee per month remains unchanged. This and other committee actions will require approval at the next regular council meeting.
The council heard that the county, which shares one-half ownership of Limekiln Road, will not be able to pave it this fall as had been hoped by the city, which has allocated funds for its share of the cost. Junior Hartley said the county may be able to share the project next spring.
The council adjusted the dates for the November and December council meetings to accommodate the upcoming holidays.
The meetings will be Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.
The council was told the city has received a $40,000 grant from the state to help with payment for repairing the city swimming pool next year.
Allyson Ransom, who had applied for a $50,000 grant, reported the grant information.
The council postponed any action on a proposed ordinance setting various inspection fees.
Other action taken included requesting more information on a proposal to complete the sally-port at the police station, pending building plans and specifications to meet state/local requirements and more information regarding improvements or replacement of the heating/air conditioning system in the police station. The unit has been in service since 1981.
A short discussion on the budget for 2011 was held, but special sessions will be required to complete work on that document.
News, Pages 1 on 10/20/2010