Staff writer
Peabody City Clerk Stephanie Lago presented council members with information Monday night about the city’s one-percent sales tax, designated for repair and upgrades to city streets and alleys.
In 2006, voters approved the tax for a term of 10 years. The purpose was to provide additional funds for repair of city streets with the ordinance to “sunset” in 2016, unless voters decided to reinstate it.
Lago is in the process of compiling a more complete report about money raised by special sales tax in advance of placing a question on the November ballot to determine whether voters want to reinstate it for an additional 10 years.
Cities and other taxing bodies in Marion County share tax money such as personal property taxes. Those entities decide how to divide it for their annual budget.
Council members in 2006 felt money available to cover street repairs was inadequate to keep up with what Peabody needed. They proposed boosting the allocation with a one-percent sales tax specifically designated to streets to expire in 10 years.
Current council members will receive information about total impact from the extra tax money as well as how the budget will fare without it. They will make a decision on whether or not to put the question on the ballot in November, for a final decision by voters.
Lago’s information from the Kansas Treasurer’s office indicates Peabody took in $64,694 in 2015 for street projects.
In other business:
- School superintendent Ron Traxson was present to hear an offer from the city to relinquish ownership of two lots at 406 and 408 N. Elm St. The lots are adjacent to elementary school property and once housed a small playground area called Westbrook Park. Traxson said the board of education would make a decision about accepting them and let the city know.
- Shane Marler spoke to council members about a proposal by Peabody Health and Rehab to change a drainage system on the west side of PHR to alter water flow during heavy rainstorms. The project will require cutting pavement at Third and Poplar streets and hooking into the city’s drainage infrastructure. The project was approved.
- Council members instructed Police Chief Bruce Burke to begin sending letters to residents who still need to remove from their property limbs and debris left by the November ice storm.