Intervovernmental Council Meeting

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 1, 2000

 White County Clerk wcclerk@ipa.net    501-279-6204 

An intergovernmental meeting of the Elected Officials of the Cities and the County was held on Tuesday, February 1, 2000 in the White County Courthouse. County Judge Bob Parish called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting was to consider a proposal submitted by a three member committee for enacting a County 1 cent sales tax to be shared by the cities and the County. The County portion will be used to construct and maintain a new County Detention facility. Members of the committee are Wayne Hartsfield, Jeff Smith and Wayne Johnson.

Among those present for the meeting were County Judge Bob Parish, County Clerk Doug Faith, County Treasurer Waylon Heathscott, Mayors of most of the cities in the County, and several Quorum Court members and City Council members.

Mr. Hartsfield explained the proposal for the new 1 cent tax and where the money generated would be spent. The current property tax millage for the County General Fund (1.9 mills) would be discontinued if the 1 cent tax was enacted. Also 1/4 of the one cent tax will go to the cities and 3/4 will be used to pay the bonds for the jail. The tax dedicated for the bonds and the cities will sunset when the bonds are paid off except for 1/4 cent, which will be a permanent tax for jail maintenance.

Mr. Hartsfield also said the County would absorb approximately $86,000 the cities now pay for salary support for the detention center. The new facility will house 275 prisoners and cost about $15,180,000 which is to be paid for in about 6 years.

After the details were presented, the cities and the County agreed to consult with the citizens of their areas for public input. The County will proceed with preparing the proper ordinances for the Quorum Court to call for a sales tax election.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

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DOUG FAITH, WHITE COUNTY CLERK