Washington County School Superintendent Joe Taylor led off Monday night’s meeting of the Chipley City Council briefing councilmembers concerning the benefits the the ten year sales tax could bring to the county’s educational system.
by Kathy Foster
Stressing the need for increased funding for technology, Taylor said technology is growing at a rapid rate and funds are needed to keep equipment current so local students are kept on the cutting edge of that knowledge.
While noting that “no one likes to pay taxes”, Taylor said approximately 60 percent of the sales taxes paid in Washington County comes through WalMart and large percentage of that comes off shoppers coming off I-10. Asking the council members to support the sales tax measure, Taylor said that means others are helping fund education for Washington County students.
Council members also received the following information from Department Heads during Monday night’s session:
- Police Department – Cases are up. Chief Thompson noted there had been several burglaries reported and reminded residents to keep their doors locked.
- Public Works Department – Been busy.
- Recreation Department – Aug. 21st starts Soccer signups.
- Water/Utilities – No violations recorded. Working on getting the sprayfields.
- Code Enforcement – Working on 40 cases.
- Fire Department – Calls down.
- Planning & Zoning – Work continuing on taking down the old ice house.
The following agenda items will be on the City Council’s regular meeting agenda on Aug. 14th:
- Final Reading and Public Hearing on Chipley amended Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance 952.
- First Reading of Ordinance No. 953 on abandonment of an unopened right-of-way on Gilbert Drive.
- First Reading of Ordinance No. 954 on a request that a portion of property at 1232 South Boulevard be re-zoned from Medium Density to Neighborhood Commercial.
- First Reading of Ordinance No. 955 – Abandonment of unopened right-of-way at East Boulevard and Pecan Street. No utilities will be impacted.
- Approval of 5th Street Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements Project Phase II. Apparent low bidder was Roberts & Roberts.
- Approval of Public Works Building Roofing Project Bid. Apparent low bidder was C&C Construction.
- Approval of Harrell Avenue Resurfacing Project Bid. Roberts & Roberts was apparent low bidder.
City Administrator Dan Miner reported that the City is negotiating with property owners for a new spray field site and that groundwater testing is underway. He said he hoped to move forward with the project within the next 120 days.
Before closing the workshop session, council members held a lengthy discussion concerning the City’s sign ordinance. No conclusions were reached as to how it might be changed, but council members did opt for a workshop session to just take up that particular issue.