city opposes county sales tax; employees given raises
Tonkawa city councilmen have directed the city attorney to draw an election resolution that would provide funding for a new municipal pool.
The council, at its Sept. 17 meeting, asked the city attorney to draw an election resolution extending the city’s current penney sales tax for capital improvements be extended 20 years. The new issue would provide for the construction, maintenance and operation of a municipal pool. A separate question would allow voters to decide whether the pool should be located at Ray See Park (where it is now located) or Blinn Park.
This would allow for construction of the pool without raising the city’s sales tax rate, which now stands at 4.5 cents -1.5 cents for water, sewer and street construction, a 10 years issue until Feb. 28, 2027; 1.0 cents for capital improvements, a 10 year issue until Sept. 30, 2021; and two cents for operational which is perpetual. Each penney of sales tax brings in about $30,000 in revenue to the city, City Clerk Nancy Skipper said.
The city is hoping to have its election in January.
All five councilmen -- Mayor Ken Smith, Vice Mayor Glenn Cope, Jack Evans, Scott Klufa and Stacy Burns -- voted in favor.
Through a proclamation, all five city councilmen also voted to oppose the Oct. 8th election called by the county to raise the county-wide sales tax by .25 cents for an addition to the county courthouse at Newkirk.
The council also voted unanimously to give all city employees -- both regular city and TMA -- a two percent pay raise.
In other action, councilmen:
-- Approved a pay request from Utility Technology Services for $150,000 for automatic water meters and Smart-Points.
-- Approved the appointment of Ody Rico to the Pride and Beautification committee to replace Merry Whitham, who resigned.
-- Voted to apply for a fiscal year 2020 REAP grant project for new storm sirens.
-- Directed the city manager to help and facilitate the planned South Town cleanup day scheduled for Oct. 5 from Grand and Main to the river.
-- Approved the Pride and Beautification committee’s request to spend $4,000 for the Gazebo at Centennial Park. It will provide for the re-roofing and painting of the Gazebo.
-- Directed City Attorney Bryce Kennedy to proceed with litigation against Jamie Rothgeb for abatement of a nuisance.
-- Approved the financial report. The city has $8,024,786 in cash with $1,900,818 unrestricted and $6,123,968 restricted.
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