Staff writer
Peabody City council members will ask voters in November whether to maintain the city’s sales tax, already the highest in the county.
The current one percent tax, approved by voters in 2006 to pay for street repairs, is scheduled to expire Dec. 31.
The city will exercise its option of asking to renew it for 10 more years.
Money raised would be “for the general purpose of financing and paying for costs of street maintenance and general improvements.”
So far, $574,000 has been raised by the tax.
If voters approve, the tax will begin April 1. From Jan. 1 until then, the overall sales tax rate in the city will fall from 9 percent to 8 percent.
Councilman Travis Wilson was absent, but the rest of the council was unanimous in support of placing the proposition on the ballot.
In other business:
- Mayor Larry Larsen signed a quit-claim deed to USD 398 for vacant lots at 406 and 408 N. Elm St, adjacent to school property.
- Council approved a request from police chief Bruce Burke to give away unclaimed bicycles accumulating in the city shop. Burke will try to find local people who might want them. Councilman Tom Spencer will contact a friend who repairs and ships bicycles to third-world countries.