City Officials Experience Difficulty Settling On Vision Tax Package

The City Council and mayor make up the vision decision makers. Their meeting unraveled as differences came up over cutting down the list and how to pay for it.

It started with differing ideas on changing the list. Several councilors want to pare down projects to put in money for the fairgrounds.

The county is asking for $35 million to spruce up barns, build new space and attract bigger events.

But the mayor and city engineer interrupted with the complaint that the plan as designed would take too much money away from street repairs.

“We can keep trying to untie the big wet knot that this is or we can talk about viable long-term solutions to the problem,” said Blake Ewing.

Once the notion of a tax increase came up, the group was divided even further.

“I do believe that property tax is a viable option,” stated Ewing.

But Mayor Dewey Bartlett disagreed.

“No that's a killer, I think we've consistently said for the last few years that we need to live within our means.

The prospect led public safety tax advocate and City Council member Karen Gilbert to suggest it be pulled out for a separate vote, maybe even on another day, maybe not a sales tax.

“Let's hold off and cool our jets and little and see what other options are out there,” said Gilbert.

Councilor Connie Dotson was fine with another delay if the plan could be simplified and not run for 15 years because she says it would tie up future councils and mayors.

The vision task force plans to revamp some of what's on the list, possibly change the different sources of the money and meet again Tuesday evening.

To get it on the ballot in April, they have to approve everything by next Thursday.