As the rumors mills stirred up controversy on the trash department, Portageville residents had several comments and concerns on the recent tax increase on the sewer during last Monday's City Council meeting.
Prior to discussion of the sewer tax, the City Council needed to pass a resolution that deals with the agreement with SRG Global and the property on which their new plant is being constructed.
“The City went in to a Chapter 100 Bond agreement with them, and it gives them a 10 year abatement on their taxes. However, with a stipulation that they cannot go past any 2016 receipts, so the City will not be loosing any money on this,” said Mayor Floyd Simmons. “SRG has stepped up on this and our schools and other entities will still be in good shape.”
City Attorney Terry McVey added, “What this also says, is that the City may own the property, the bond payments will all be paid by SRG. Plus, voluntarily will be paying taxes at the 2016 rate, and paying taxes to the school system.”
“Plus providing 50,000 per year for 10 years to the school,” said Simmons. “Yes,” said McVey.
Quentin White of Woods Lumber Company, ask for further information about how the taxes would affect his business, “Is that going to be SRG only, SRG contractors, just exactly how will this work?”
It will be SRG only, SRG Global Coatings, Inc, will be the owners as far as property tax only. “My concern is we have contractors working there, Forcum Lannon workers, so everything they purchase is tax free?” asked White. Mayor Simmons answered, “They are working off of our tax certificate which the City is tax free. That is apart of the Chapter 100 plan.” White ask, Is that Forcum Lannom?”
“They are the general contractor for SRG, they are SRG, for all raw materials going into the project” said Simmons.
Forcum Lannon has a copy of the City's tax certificate as does SRG Global. “When they or any of their sub contractors come to purchase, they should provide you with a copy of that certificate,” said Simmons.
Another big topic of discussion was the discoloration of the City's water.
Shirley Estes said, “We have terrible water on our side of town! Simmons ask, “Can I ask you one question since you brought that up?” “Have you ever called City Hall and tell the girls here that you have bad water? “Well no, but everyone in here has the same problem,” she said. “Simmons said, “Yes, I do to. When we get calls, we send Jimmy and his crew out and flush the hydrants, and water will clear up in a day or two. But, most time in cold weather and then turns off warm, that stuff settles in these old lines. I hear people complain about the discoloration of the water, but if you do not call the City Hall or talk to your alderman or myself, we are not going to know. If you do tell us, we are going to make sure it does get flushed!”
Then, the comments and questions on the sewer tax started to take over.
Mayor Simmons explains that the last time there was any kind of a tax increase on waster, sewer or anything, goes back to 2003. “That's on the problems we have had over the years with the different City Boards. You need to make small increments over the years instead of trying to make one big then having everyone complaining about it,” he said.
Alderman Vince Berry explained that in April we passed a three million dollar bond issue for the new waste water plant. “With the new waste water treatment plant, we have $3.2 million in great money, right now, we are looking at the cost of $4.7 million. This increase is paying for that funding. Because of that grant financing USDA requires us to have a minimum amount for our sewer bill. Future sewer rates are going to depend on how much of that bond we are able to use.”
Berry also said, “As far as the increase that everyone has with their water and sewer, for those that have trouble paying, there will be moratorium that the City will not shut off your water up through April 1st.”