HIGHFILL — Mayor Stacy Digby, during the regular April council meeting on April 12, suggested the council consider adding a 1/2 cent sales tax to the November ballot strictly for the purpose of fixing roads in Highfill. The proposal would include a sunset date in four or five years and was not suggested as a perpetual tax increase.
Digby explained to the council the city's problem of having roads in need of repair and no funds to do so. He said he receives complaints about the roads but can't fix them.
The increase, if approved by voters, would generate approximately $175,000 per year for the duration of the tax, enough Digby said to make some noticeable road repairs and get the city in better shape before the tax sunsets.
"With the tax we could try to get back to where we need to be and, hopefully, progress will catch up before the tax drops out," Digby said.
Council members heard updates on work being done at the Silver Meadows subdivision and discussed drainage issues in the area.
Visiting the meeting were representatives from the bank which now owns the subdivision and from an engineering firm hired by the bank to help correct issues with the subdivision. The representatives were invited to discuss their subdivision plans with the council before taking them to the planning commission.
According to the subdivision representatives, corrections had been made to leaking manhole covers and additional work was planned to bring the failed subdivision up to city code so that homes can be built there in phases. Plans are to build homes ranging from 1,500 or 1,600 square feet up to 2,500 square feet in the subdivision with costs ranging near $100 per square foot.
Included in the discussion were drainage problems related to the subdivision and other area properties. While plans previously approved by the planning commission are basically being followed according to bank representatives, some changes are being sought in regard to street access and the timing of building the street access because of a new road access to the subdivision and to allow some homes to be built and sold in phase one before the access requirements of phase two must be met.
The council adopted an ordinance on three readings with a single vote which sets the by-the-drink liquor tax at 7.5 percent. The tax affects drinks served at the airport. Though the state permits cities to tax alcoholic beverages served by the drink at up to 10 percent, the city chose to collect 7.5 percent, up from the 5 percent it was collecting.
Council members Paula Pautsky, Michelle Rieff, David Williamson and Roger Hill voted for the measure. Wes Evans voted against it but did vote in favor of the emergency clause after the measure passed. Toby Lester was absent.
Digby reported that Waste Management was not interested in renewing the city's current trash contract but was willing to bid on a new one. He said he would be putting a new contract out to bid before the close of the year.
Digby also announced that Highfill would be having a spring cleanup April 22-23, with a dumpster available from 8 a.m. on the 22nd until noon on the 23rd.
General News on 04/20/2016