Miner holds property taxes at same level

MINER -- Miner's property tax is slated to stay the same.

During their regular meeting Tuesday, the Miner Board of Aldermen first agreed to set the date for the regular August meeting for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 22. The meeting is usually held on the second Tuesday of each month

The meeting was rescheduled because of the election and to give City Clerk Janet Tuttle more time to prepare the city's budget.

A public hearing for the city's personal and real estate property tax levy rate will also be held on that date.

The Board voted 3-1 to keep the levy at 19 cents per $100 assessed valuation, although a final vote must be held following the public hearing.

"It hasn't been raised in 20 years," Alderman Justin Medley said. "Most of our money's from city sales tax anyway."

He said even if the rate was raised to the allowable ceiling, it would only bring in an additional $12,580 for the city.

Alderman Peggy Holman entered the only dissenting vote.

"I think it needs to be raised for the city," she said. "I really do."

Alderman Marlene Anglin suggested that if they considered raising the property tax rate, they at least would get some citizens to attend the public hearing even if they ultimately decided to leave it the same.

Alderman Frank Tatum said it would only confuse citizens, however.

"People get upset if you raise their taxes a nickel," he added.

Medley said changing property taxes was not worth upsetting Miner's citizens as it only brings in $38,000 per year.

In other business Tuesday:

* Board members approved the bid of $7,861 for computers for the police department from PC Services in Sikeston as recommended by Capt. Darrin Skinner.

The only other bid was from Microcomputer Services of Sikeston for $8,530.

"Our main computer that dispatch runs is outdated," Skinner said. "It crashes maybe twice a month."

He said the old computers still use the Windows 98 operating system and are unable to run a lot of the state software programs.

The bid includes three new computers, upgrading two computers, replacing the department's network, new software and four new printers.

Medley noted the department still had $9,800 in its budget for the purchase.

Skinner said this purchase is the first phase of a long-term plan to eventually implement a records management system.

The board also approved the purchase of a $800 printer for the city clerk's office.

* A decision on the purchase of backup generators for the city was tabled to allow for detailed bids to be submitted.

Medley explained the Board had narrowed down their options during a special meeting and decided to replace the generator they have now with one that will add service to the police department and City Hall including the capability to run air conditioning and heaters at both facilities.

Tatum asked if a local vendor who has also been serving as the city's electrician had bid on the project.

"He lives around close," he said. "He's always done our work."

Medley said the vendor refused to submit a more detailed bid and also advised he would no longer serve as the city's electrician.

"I talked to him to see if he would stay on as our electrician," Mayor Betty Barnes said.

Medley said the electrician contract was a separate issue and that the business before the Board was to get a standby generator "so we'll have power if we have a storm."

* A dispatching schedule change was left to the discretion of Police Chief Roger Moore.

Skinner said the proposal to implement a 12-hour rotating schedule was initially placed on the agenda because it appeared the city would pay more overtime.

After reviewing the figures, he saw no additional pay would be required to implement the change.

* Board members approved payments of $8,070 now and $4,140 upon completion to the city's engineering firm, Lambert Engineering, for the engineering costs associated with the replacement of two sewer system lift stations.

The payments will be made from the sewer fund as debts paid from that fund have been paid off.

"There's plenty in that sewer fund," Tuttle confirmed.