Levying a half-cent sales tax to fund capital improvements came up during the Anderson City Council's Aug. 3 meeting.
The council voted to consider placing tax on the November ballot and to meet with Steve Goehl of D.A. Davidson Municipal Bonding to acquire more information on the matter.
This tax would bring the municipal sales tax from one-and-a-half cents to two cents. Levying the tax requires a majority vote of eligible voters.
Discussion of the tax increase started when fire chief Shelby Turner reported July was a busy month -- but of the 56 calls only two were billable.
"It's hard to justify billing someone when you get there and it really isn't anything. Or it's people calling in a fire they see that really is controlled and then we (use) fuel to go there," Turner explained.
With unpredictable income and steady use, Turner suggested a sales tax to fund fire services. He informed the council that most communities with hotels or motels charge an occupancy tax to cover potential fire hazards by visitors who don't pay for residential fire services. Anderson does not have such an ordinance.
Mayor John Sellers noted that Goehl plans to discuss a possible capital improvement tax during his visit with the council.
Turner said that towns of comparable size typically have a capital improvement tax set at a half-cent or below. Some communities he spoke with suggested setting a half-cent rate for an allotted period of time to fund the cost of updating firefighting equipment and emergency rescue tools as well as other vital machinery.
After a period of time, say five years, the rate would lower significantly to create an ongoing tax that would then maintain fire services -- rather than the department relying on post-incident billing for funding. It would also generate revenue from residents who rent property in town or live outside of the city limits and don't pay property taxes, but who still buy goods in Anderson.
Departmental Reports
Police chief Donavon Pierson informed the council that there are suspects in the case of an armed robbery at the Econolodge in Anderson, near midnight on July 26. The suspects are believed to be from a neighboring state. Officers are working with the agency there to bring the suspects in for questioning. The department hopes to have the case resolved within the next few weeks.
Pierson reported that additional repairs have been made to the gray Ford police vehicle. The power window motor was installed incorrectly and had to be reworked, the steering control arm was misaligned, and the air conditioner condenser also went out. He said that he would like to implement a system for replacing the police cars to prevent perpetual maintenance.
"Get you a bicycle," recommended Alderman Gene Cantrell.
Laughing at Cantrell's remark, alderman Rusty Wilson suggested a moped before alderman Seth Kirk chimed in that a lawn mower could serve a dual purpose during the summer.
On a more serious note, Pierson then discussed some of the shortcomings of the current compensatory time system. He explained that despite recieving four hours sick time each month, sixteen paid holidays, and one to three weeks of vacation each year, many officers are overreaching comp time limits.
With significantly more part-time officers than full-time and a steady, if not increasing, demand for law enforcement presence, it can be difficult for officers to schedule time off and thus comp time quickly accumulates in their individual comp banks.
Whatever is left in this account upon an employee's dismissal or retirement is paid out, with interest, in a severance check upon their departure. This, coupled with state and federal discrepancies on how to handle maxed out comp time, makes compensatory pay problematic. In hopes of saving money and boosting morale, Pierson suggested paying over-time, with the stipulation that any more than two hours be pre-approved by a superior.
The council voted to do away with compensatory time, choosing to implement overtime and compensate the employees who have accrued comp time.
Water department employee Dane Smalls reported that the department is currently receiving quotes on tanks that are not pressurized for the Moss community. They are currently considering either a 2,500 gallon, 3,500 gallon, or 5,000 gallon tank or multiple 315 gallon tanks inside of a building.
New Business
Sellers updated the council on the progression of a sewer leak on Jimmie Gideon's property at 100 N. Grandview St., where raw sewage is exposed. A neighbor reports that problem has not yet been fixed. The leak extends from Gideon's property to a neighboring property and spills into a defunct alleyway. While the sewer main is a city responsibility, maintenance and repair of a private building's sewer line falls to the resident.
The mayor noted that the leak is creating a health hazard and asked that police chief Pierson advise the property owners to engage the services of a plumber within 72 hours. If they fail to do so, their water will be disconnected.
In other business:
• The council paid bills in the amount of $83,403.99.
• The mayor reported that water loss was down 3.9 percent last month.
• The council voted to schedule the Annual Tax Rate Public Hearing at 6 p.m. Aug. 18, prior to the regular council meeting.
• The council voted to approve police officer Aaron Lemon for permanent hire.
• Pierson suggested a turning lane on Highway 76 to accommodate the Walmart Neighborhood Market traffic.
• The council voted to give street department employee Jodi Frazier a raise of $1 per hour.
General News on 08/06/2015