Portageville City Council passes School Choice Week Proclamation and Use Tax Ordinance

In addition to the regularly scheduled business last Monday at the January City Council meeting, a Use Tax Ordinance was passed as well as the signing of the School Choice Week Proclamation.

The Use Tax ordinance is a continuation of what is already on the books, but it does take an annual vote of the residents.

The following question will be on the April Municipal election.

“Shall the City of Portageville impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, currently 2.00%, provided that if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same action? A use tax return shall not be

required to be filed by persons whose purchases from out-of·state vendors do not in total exceed two thousand dollars in any calendar year.”

Prior to the council meeting, the council had already signed the School Choice Week Proclamation?

However, there are many that may not know what School Choice is. It is empowering parents and helping children achieve their dreams.

School choice means giving parents access to the best K-12 education options for their children. These options not only include traditional public schools, public charter schools, and public magnet schools, but also private schools, online academies, and homeschooling.

Every child deserves an effective, challenging, as well as motivating education. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, therefore children should have the opportunity to achieve their own American dreams.

As research shows, empowered parents who choose the educational environment they believe work best for their kids are more likely to see their children succeed and furthermore, graduate from high school. Every child is unique, and students thrive when they’re matched with learning environments that meet their individual needs.

After the approval of the agenda and last month's minutes, the board read through department head minutes and talked with some of the department managers.

According to fire Chief George DeLisle, the fire department is still trying to sell three pieces of equipment, the old fire truck, a supply truck, and a tanker truck. We are looking to replace those with a Tanker-Pumper.

He also requested the City Council to voice their concern about answering mechanical alarms. “Now when the mechanical alarms go off, the police is dispatched to see what it is about. Right now, we do not know if there is a fire or not. What I would like for dispatch to do is call the fire department out and be at the shed ready to go,” said DeLisle.

“Right now, it takes about a 30-45 minute wait until many of our guys can get ready. This way if we get the page at the same time as the police, our response time can be quicker if there is a fire. If there is not a fire, we can stand down.”

In other business, the City had sought out cash Rent Bids for 20 acres of farmable ground. That bid went to Joe Scherer.

As far as the School Resource Officer Tax as to when it will be back on the ballot. Mayor McCrate said, "Senator Doug Libla had sent down a copy of SB21, and Representative Rone has said he is sending up a bill that will be very much in line as the Senate version." McCrate will find out before the Jan. 22 deadline of whether to have it placed on the April election or hold until the August election.

After approving annual fees to two organizations and City Financial reports, McCrate then motioned for close the open session and go into executive session.

The next monthly meeting of the City Council will be Monday, February 4.