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MINUTES OF COUNCIL <br /> JANUARY 11, 2000 <br /> The Batesville City Council met for its regular meeting on January 11, at <br /> 5:30 P.M. at the Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. <br /> Councilmember Pectol gave the invocation. Upon roll call, all the council <br /> answered present except Councilmember Cargill. Also present were the City <br /> Clerk and the City Attorney. <br /> Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting <br /> and Councilmember Pectol seconded. All voted for. <br /> Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda. <br /> Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for. <br /> STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS - MAYOR BIARD <br /> Mayor Biard gave his annual State of the City Address as required by law. <br /> "It is required that the Mayor present a State of the City Address in January of each year. <br /> This year my remarks will be somewhat different as I will speak about the future and less on the <br /> past year. I can tell you that we accomplished our objectives in 1999 and in fact in the 5 years I <br /> have been here, we, and I emphasize "we", great strides have been made in area such as <br /> development of the White River and other projects are on the way to further enhance this <br /> valuable resources....500 blocks of streets have been re-surfaced and yet there is still much to be <br /> done....our parks and recreation budget is now one of the largest we have...our streets lights to a <br /> great extent have been upgraded to make safer neighborhoods....and I could go on and on but <br /> so much for the past...Lets talk about the future. In my remarks tonight, I could have skirted <br /> some of the issues and put my ideas in glossy terms, but instead I'm going to talk to you in <br /> straight terms that I think we can all understand. I well understand that my proposal will not meet <br /> with approval with everyone but the time has come to determine where Batesville is going in the <br /> 21St century. WE can move ahead and make our city truly one of the best in the state and <br /> possibly the best or we can fall behind. There is no such thing as remaining the same. Again, <br /> there are no hidden agendas. It is straight to the point. <br /> In the paper last year, it was said that I "caved"on the annexation proposal. I can now <br /> tell you why I asked the council to withdraw. I could see the annexation issue and the one I will <br /> discuss tonight coming together at nearly the same time. Given the facts and in my opinion, my <br /> proposal tonight is more urgent than annexation plus as you know, there was a great hostility <br /> move on that issue. Let it be clear now, should this pass the council, we shall proceed in a <br /> diligent manner. Before we get to the heart of my presentation, let me point out that the council <br /> could raise our millage rate to 5 mills on property tax. We only levy 2.2 mills. Because of re- <br /> appraisal, that is not one area you want to deal with. <br /> In October I believe the council was almost ready to abolish the 19-year-old Interlocal <br /> Law Enforcement Agreement. Without a funding mechanism in place and other considerations, <br /> the council agreed to give me until tonight to present a plan to address the law enforcement <br />