Sturgis City Council members approved the 2016 Tax Rates during a special called meeting Thursday night.
City Clerk Cindy Carr presented the 2016 Tax Rates for real and personal property. She began by informing council members the current 2015 real property tax rate is $0.478 per $100 and the personal property rate is $0.2275 per $100. She then briefed them on what revenue would be generated by a one (1) percent to four (4) percent increase on the assessed real and personal property.
After the briefing, Dr. Jeremy Baker asked Carr and Mayor Mike Hardesty if they need to increase the tax rates, and added that he knows the City is not making any money. Mayor Hardesty stated the City currently does not have a financial cushion in any department.
With that being said and after further discussion, Dr. Jeremy Baker made a motion to go with a three (3) percent increase on the real property tax rate of $0.492 per $100 and a three (3) percent increase tax rate of $0.2422 for personal property, which was unanimously approved by councilmen. Dr. Kate Baker was absent from the meeting.
In other business, Buzz VanMeter of Public Energy Authority of Kentucky presented council a five year renewal contract for natural gas.
Council approved the five-year contract with PEAK by a vote of 4-1 with Dr. Jeremy Baker casting the lone nay vote.
In other action, councilmen approved a request by Sturgis Fire Chief Chad Cullen to extend the Halloween Hours from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., instead of 6:00 p.m., on October 31, 2016.
Council members also approved a request by Reverend Thomas of Phillips Chapel Church at 6th and King Streets to allow them to hold temporary services in the Council Room Chambers due to a dangerous mold problem in the church’s basement.
Chief Cullen gave an update on the 40-thousand dollar purchase of the new ladder truck for the City of Sturgis; and any action by council members on an impervious surface usage fee was tabled.
Sturgis City Council will have a special called meeting at 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 12, 2016. The agenda includes the second reading of the 2016 Property Tax Rates and to Implement School Zone Speed Limit.