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issue, but there are other almost equally important things facing this city and thus the need to
<br /> confront many issues under one funding umbrella.
<br /> Being in the media in August, 1981, when the Interlocal agreement was put into place, I
<br /> well remember the friction and turmoil between several parties including the city council and the
<br /> Civil Service Commission. Frankly, in my opinion, we should have never had the commission.
<br /> But, now to the point. It is time to give you the two words which is the heart of my
<br /> proposal. Those words are "Sales Tax". Now, before some people get upset, please afford me
<br /> the opportunity to discuss what I have in mind. Some will argue the sales tax is a regressive tax
<br /> but compared to what...the property tax?
<br /> While I will propose a penny, we should bear in mind that this time last year, we were
<br /> paying a half-cent tax for the county jail, so in essence, we are asking for a half-cent compared to
<br /> last year.
<br /> A few facts...A sales tax falls about equally on all residents. The sales tax is painless to
<br /> collect. It is collected by the state through means already in place. No new expenses are
<br /> needed to collect the tax. It will be paid in part by people not living in our city-tourists and
<br /> visitors who use city facilities without paying for them otherwise.
<br /> 228 cities have their own sales tax. A few of these are Arkadelphia, Ash Flat, Bald Knob,
<br /> Cabot, EI Dorado, Eureka Springs, Forrest City, Fort Smith, Harrison, Hot Springs, Jacksonville,
<br /> Jonesboro, Little Rock, Malvern, Melbourne, Mountain View, Newport, Paragould, Pocahontas,
<br /> Rogers, Russellville, Searcy, Sherwood, and Texarkana.
<br /> No one has to tell me that a tax under any name in any form, is not popular. Tomorrow,
<br /> there will be those upset with my proposal but we must remember this is a suggestion as a
<br /> solution to our problems and if passed by the city council, the people will in the end make the
<br /> decision to move forward or not. If you, as mayor, believe you know most of the problems and
<br /> not do anything, that indeed is a "caretaker government".
<br /> As to our problems, we cannot depend upon the county, the state or federal government.
<br /> If we're going to do the best for our city, we are going to have to do it.
<br /> To me, Batesville is a wonderful city...proud of the past, doing well at the present and an
<br /> almost unlimited potential for the future. We must plan now to address areas of concern for now
<br /> and years from now."
<br /> The Mayor gave the council a copy of two ordinances to act on at the next
<br /> council meeting to levy a one-cent sales tax and to call a special election. The
<br /> Mayor, council and members of the audience discussed several areas which the
<br /> sales tax revenues could be used.
<br /> FLOOD LEVEE REPORT
<br /> Special Projects Director Jim Woods gave a report to the council
<br /> regarding the Batesville Levee Project. Mr. Woods said the $6,000 budgeted in
<br /> 2000 is for USGA Service Contracts.
<br /> CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY ON NEELEY STREET
<br /> FROM R-2 TO C-2
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