Residents here may be voting on a proposed half-cent sales tax increase in the Tuesday, May 18, primary election.
The Redfield City Council heard a first reading of an ordinance outlining the proposal at a Tuesday, Jan. 5, meeting. Second and third readings are slated at the panel’s February and March sessions. After the third reading, a council vote will determine if the measure will be on the May ballot.
The tax, which if approved would be collected for five years, would generate revenue to enhance Redfield’s parks.
Redfield’s elected leaders had planned to have a special election in December 2008 on two recommended sales tax hikes – a half-cent for park improvements and a half-cent for street renovations – but nixed that vote because it conflicted with an election on a proposed countywide half-cent sales tax hike for economic development. The latter, promoted primarily by The Alliance, was disapproved by a count of 4,525-3,348.
There has been some talk that The Alliance might again seek the increase, but no firm decision has been announced.
Meanwhile in Redfield, other improvements are already taking shape.
Mayor George Sanders announced at the Jan. 5 meeting that architects for a new city hall were making some revisions and were to meet with him for an update at an unspecified time.
Also, City Attorney Brandon Robinson told the council that Jane Stout had indicated a willingness to conditionally grant a park road to the city. The matter is to be addressed in a meeting involving Sanders and Stout’s attorneys on Feb. 2, just prior to a regular council session.
In other business, the council – with members Billy Elliott, Darrell Hedden and Tony Lawhon absent – instructed Robinson to construct an ordinance that would set a privilege-tax flat fee of $75 on all businesses. Alderman James Smith called for the measure, saying a standard charge would eliminate current confusion on assessments.
Fire Chief Dennis McFatridge reported that the fire department had fought four structure fires and an automobile, and responded to 16 rescue calls during December. McFatridge said Tony Sanders had been selected as the department’s 2009 Fire Fighter of the Year.
Police Chief Dick Wakefield said the police department made 13 arrests during December while responding to 46 criminal and traffic complaints. Officers investigated four traffic accidents and nine theft reports.
Due to a rash of recent burglaries, Wakefield had earlier asked that residents planning to be away overnight or for an extended time to notify police before leaving. During December, police investigated a pair of burglaries and responded to 12 residential and business security alarms.
Residents here may be voting on a proposed half-cent sales tax increase in the Tuesday, May 18, primary election.
The Redfield City Council heard a first reading of an ordinance outlining the proposal at a Tuesday, Jan. 5, meeting. Second and third readings are slated at the panel’s February and March sessions. After the third reading, a council vote will determine if the measure will be on the May ballot.
The tax, which if approved would be collected for five years, would generate revenue to enhance Redfield’s parks.
Redfield’s elected leaders had planned to have a special election in December 2008 on two recommended sales tax hikes – a half-cent for park improvements and a half-cent for street renovations – but nixed that vote because it conflicted with an election on a proposed countywide half-cent sales tax hike for economic development. The latter, promoted primarily by The Alliance, was disapproved by a count of 4,525-3,348.
There has been some talk that The Alliance might again seek the increase, but no firm decision has been announced.
Meanwhile in Redfield, other improvements are already taking shape.
Mayor George Sanders announced at the Jan. 5 meeting that architects for a new city hall were making some revisions and were to meet with him for an update at an unspecified time.
Also, City Attorney Brandon Robinson told the council that Jane Stout had indicated a willingness to conditionally grant a park road to the city. The matter is to be addressed in a meeting involving Sanders and Stout’s attorneys on Feb. 2, just prior to a regular council session.
In other business, the council – with members Billy Elliott, Darrell Hedden and Tony Lawhon absent – instructed Robinson to construct an ordinance that would set a privilege-tax flat fee of $75 on all businesses. Alderman James Smith called for the measure, saying a standard charge would eliminate current confusion on assessments.
Fire Chief Dennis McFatridge reported that the fire department had fought four structure fires and an automobile, and responded to 16 rescue calls during December. McFatridge said Tony Sanders had been selected as the department’s 2009 Fire Fighter of the Year.
Police Chief Dick Wakefield said the police department made 13 arrests during December while responding to 46 criminal and traffic complaints. Officers investigated four traffic accidents and nine theft reports.
Due to a rash of recent burglaries, Wakefield had earlier asked that residents planning to be away overnight or for an extended time to notify police before leaving. During December, police investigated a pair of burglaries and responded to 12 residential and business security alarms.
