The Eupora Board of Aldermen is proposing a millage increase of slightly less than 10 percent tax for the upcoming fiscal year.
According to a notice of tax increase and resolution fixing the tax levy, the city has proposed to increase its property tax revenue for the next fiscal year on all classes of property described by 2.07 mills from 21.53 mills to 23.6 mills, which is a 9.6 percent increase.
The notice states that the city realizes that Webster County is in the process of reassessing properties and the proposed tax increase is dependant on the final taxable appraised values.
The proposed increase will be the first by the city of Eupora since 1996, when the millage rate was raised from 21.3 mills to 23.43 mills. In 1997, the mills were lowered from 23.43 mills to the current 21.53 mills. Utility increases, fuel prices and resulting budget needs have made an increase necessary at this time, the notice states.
At its first meeting in July, the board voted to apply for a $274,300 loan-$147,700 grant combination from USDA Rural Development that would be used toward street paving and lighting of the intersections at highways 9 and 82, with the understanding that, after budget work and evaluation, it can be refused if received by the city.
The county has applied for $150,000 to assist with the lighting project and, according to the discussion, the state Transportation Department has offered to fund a portion of the project. Alderman Dan Burchfield, who made the motion to authorize the application, stated then that he felt it would be worth raising taxes less than 10 percent to fund this loan.
The city board, during a special called meeting on Aug. 1, voted unanimously to advertise the proposed increase. Alderman at-large Jack Haney said during discussion beforehand that he would not vote for a tax increase.
Haney noted that a tax increase may not be necessary because of the countywide property re-evaluation. He also said the city should look for savings first and that department heads should be the first line of defense in preventing overspending.
"I am strong on management of money," he said, stating later, "I just believe we can get every value out of a dollar you can get."
City Clerk Lesa Hardin said department heads do come in monthly to review their expense reports.
A public hearing date of Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. was set for the proposed tax increase as well as a budget hearing. A final decision on the proposed tax increase will be made on Sept. 5 in a public hearing at 6:30 p.m.
Also on Aug. 1, Aubrey Holder of Watkins, Ward and Stafford CPAs presented the completed audit of the city for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2005. The firm issued the city a clean (unqualified) opinion and sound audit.
Access Road
The Board of Aldermen also had a special called meeting on July 19. In a follow-up to action taken July 6, aldermen learned that Hawkeye Glove Manufacturing had offered the city a $5,000 donation as a result of a letter sent earlier in the month by attorney Hugh Gibson. The board voted to accept the donation, according to minutes of the meeting.
The board had voted 3-2 previously for the city to offer to purchase property from Jane Love at the price of $13,000 to develop an access road from Highway 182 to the plant parking lot, which is owned by the city. Gibson offered then to write a letter to Hawkeye asking that it purchase and donate the land to the city.
After further discussion on July 19, records show, Alderman Robert Mays made a motion to purchase the land from Love for $13,000 to be used for constructing the road with grant monies. A Rural Impact Grant has already been received toward the development of the road and an ARC grant is pending.
Haney seconded the motion with the understanding that the board will not approve any expenditures by the city over $8,000, in addition to the $5,000 donated by Hawkeye, without a further vote. All aldermen voted aye.
Pursue Grant
Mayor Tommy Lott and Burchfield updated the board on a Transportation Enhancement grant available that could be used to enhance "Main Street," and make the sidewalks and steps more user friendly.
It would require a 20 percent grant that could possibly be in-kind services. Belinda Stewart Architects had offered to complete the application, which was due July 31. The board approved a motion to adopt a resolution and memorandum of understanding to pursue the grant for rebuilding the steps and sidewalks along Dunn Street from Highway 182 to Fox Avenue.
Storm Shelters, 911 Fee
In other business, Lott explained that community storm shelter 75/25 grants are available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The approximate cost of a shelter is $5,000 and 10 have been set aside for Webster County.
The board approved a motion to reserve three shelters contingent upon the city receiving final FEMA description of the shelters, the minutes state.
Also approved was a motion by Haney that the city request the Webster County Board of Supervisors enact a 911 fee to be collected per phone. The mayor was directed to contact the county board to convey Eupora's support for the implementation of a 911 system by collection of this fee, enabling the county to be financially sound in its 911 program.
The Board of Supervisors had already voted on July 17 to contract with BellSouth Telecommunications Inc. and Calhoun City Telephone Co. to provide Enhanced 911 service in the Webster Communications District and collect the periodic fees on behalf of the county.
Work on the 2006-07 budget followed during the July 19 city board meeting, and another budget work session was held on July 26 with the mayor and aldermen except Ricky Newton present.
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