SWC Keeps Tax Collector Position

Despite the potential for increased revenue, Southwest City's Board of Aldermen voted not to eliminate the city tax collector position.

Current tax collector, Judy Pendergraft, brought the issue before the council at the April 26 meeting and re-addressed it at the regular meeting on Tuesday, May 24.

She said a city collector is paid 7 percent of all taxes collected -- personal, real estate and business licenses -- while the county only withholds 5 percent.

Council members were against the idea of doing away with a job opportunity in town.

"Letting the county take care of it doesn't help our community," said Alderman Joe Stark.

The council then discussed uniforms for street department employees. Jack Coatney said that the department allots $500 in the budget each year, but uniforms haven't been ordered in recent years. He provided quotes on shirts, shorts and pants which sparked a discussion on shorts being a safety hazard.

Alderman David Blake suggested that the city provide pants and allow employees to wear their own shorts when discretion allows.

Council members asked only that the pants be purchased from Dave's Supermarket.

Departmental Reports

Jack Coatney reported that the street department has been working to clear brush along Honey Creek. Employees also closed the gate at the dam in Blankenship Park prior to the fishing derby.

The water department has been working to rebuild a broken solenoid valve at the Broadway tower.

The sewer department has drained one of the clarifiers for cleaning, replaced the UV bulbs in the plant, worked on the west aerator and replaced the vacuum pump at the park's lift station.

City clerk Missy Zinn reported that court is going well. She noted that there are 531 warrants that need to be verified and re-issued.

Zinn also spoke about a new business venture in town. She said that Jason and Debbie Andrews of Southwest City Tire LLC would like to park a concession trailer on their property to sell ice cream, snow-cones, hot dogs and nachos to patrons during the summer months.

Mayor Joe Carpenter noted that, since there is already a business on the property, an additional license was not needed.

The council voted to approve this action without another business license.

Other Business

In other business:

• The council discussed bids on new roofs for city hall, the police department, and a city storage shed. It was decided that Mayor Carpenter would secure additional bids.

• The council voted to pay $200 towards Judge Erin Willis' legal training.

General News on 05/26/2016