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City Council passes landmark payroll tax on 5-1 vote Mayor Harris, in recommending passage, noted Columbia residents who work in other communities are paying the taxes there already. Only three citizen comment heard, one from a city resident who was for the tax, and from two who work in the city but live in the county. Final version is exactly the same as "Working Copy." Read Occupational License Tax Ordinance PDF for full text. By Ed Waggener At its regular Monday, 6 Oct 2014 meeting, the Columbia City Council approved the second reading of a landmark tax, voting 5-1 to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 430.15, "An ordinance relating to the imposition and administration of an occupational license requirement and payment of an occupational tax by persons and business entities conducting business, occupations, and professions wihtin the City of Columbia, Kentucky." The ordinance imposes a 1% tax and will take effect January 1, 2015. The vote came on a motion by Robert Flowers, and a second by Craig Dean, two members of the Mayor Mark D. Harris appointed finance committee which proposed the tax, who were joined in the affirmative by Councillor June Parson of the finance triumvirate, and Councillors Ron Rogers and Charles Grimsley. Councillor Linda Waggener, after offering a suggestion that the allocations be removed and all funds collected by the tax go into the general fund, voted no. The ordinance, previously billed as a working copy, ( Occupational License Tax Ordinance /(Payroll Tax proposed for Columbia, KY), was passed intact. To read details of the now enacted ordinance, click to Occupational License Tax Ordinance PDF which was passed with no changes.) Citizen, other comment was made before the passage. Citizen comments were offered by three people. City resident and Columbia Planning & Zoning Board member Roy Rademacher spoke in favor of the tax, saying the only unfair tax is an unnecessary one, and offered his thanks to the council for addressing the need. Paul MacEachern, who is a resident of the Gradyville community, spoke against the tax; as did Tom Frazier, who also lives outside the city but works in Columbia, spoke against the tax, saying that it is not right for only 12% of City residents to pay the tax, and that he was completely against it. "Columbia is a nice small town. Ain't nothing wrong with keeping it that way." Mayor Harris responded that it's not like those other 88% are paying a payroll tax. Many Columbia City residents already pay similar taxes which are imposed on them in most surrounding cities and/or counties, where they are already paying a 1% payroll/income tax or more there. Council Comments: Charles Grimsley, expressing concern about passing the Payroll Tax without Strategic Long Term Plan. Citing the stop gap nature of the proposal and a concern that the city could get back into the same problems without more oversight, Grimsley proposed, and Councillor Linda Waggener gave a second, to an amendment calling for Strategic Long Term Planning for goals for the City. The vote was 5-1, with Robert Flowers against. Flowers said that people weren't getting involved in the public meetings, saying they just aren't interested. He said recent meetings inviting the public had proven that, that there was too much apathy on the part of local citizens. He said that if people want to be involved, they come to the meetings. Flowers cited the low number of city council candidates - there are eight for the six seats on the 4 Nov 2014 - ballot. He said that proves that citizens overwhelming approve of the way City Government is run, or they just don't care. Flowers also encouraged attendance at Downtown Days, and reminded those in attendance of the Mark Twain Kosair Shriners fundraising road blocks and of an open house at the Columbia Masonic Lodge, 501 Burkesville Street, Columbia, KY, from 11am-2pm 11 Oct 2014, commemorating the local lodges 200th years. Linda Waggener commented that the recent public meetings have helped, that the public is not apathetic and that each of the individuals who came to the meetings represented 20 or 30 or more who felt as they did, and encouraged the commentators to attend. Ron Rogers invited all to downtown days and reminded everyone of Friday night's ACHS vs South Warren football game in the battle of the unbeatens. (At Adair County Football Stadium, 623 Indian Drive, Columbia, KY, at 7pmCT, 10 Oct 2014 - CM) Councillor June Parson mentioned the need for two street lights. Councillor Craig Dean reminded the audience to attend Downtown Days, and commended the work of the Renaissance Committee, which he said worked entirely on its own, at no cost to the city. Minutes of three meetings approved unanimously The council routinely approved, unanimously, in three separate voice votes, minutes of the: 1) 2 Sep 2014 regular called meeting, on a first by Councillor Dr. Ron Rogers with a second by Charles Grimsley. 2) 9 Sep 2014 special called meeting on a motion by June Parson, second by Craig Dean, and 3) minutes of the 11 Sep 2014 called meeting, on a motion by Robert Flowers and Craig Dean, On all three actions, the full Council, Craig Dean, Linda Waggener, Robert Flowers, Ron Rogers, Charles Grimsley, and June Parson voted 6-0 by voice vote. Moderate attendance A relatively small group, small enough for all to have seats, was in attendance. Included in the congregation were Mayor Mark D. Harris, City Clerk Rhonda Loy, City Attorney Marshall Loy, Members of the City Council, Craig Dean, Linda Waggener, Robert Flowers, Ron Rogers, Charles Grimsley, and June Parson. City Police Chief Jason Cross. City Gas Superintendent Ron Cook and wife, Linda Cook; members of the media. Citizen Commentators Roy Rademacher, Paul MacEachern, and Tom Frazier. And favorite Adair County official/news source and contributor Constable Shannon Rowe. (whether he was there to keep order or report was not learned, but there was outstanding courtesy and decorum). COLUMBlA CITY COUNCIL holds its regular monthly meeting each first Monday at 6pmCT in City Hall, 116 Campbellsville ST, Columbia, KY. The meetings are open to the public. Mayor Mark D. Harris. Councillors Councillors Craig Dean, Linda Waggener, Robert Flowers, Dr. Ron Rogers, Charles Grimsley, and June Parson. City Clerk Rhonda Loy. City Attorney Marshall Loy. City Police Chief Jason Cross. City Gas Superintendent Ron Cook. City Sanitation Department Superintendent O'Shaughnesy Frazier. City Street Department Superintendent Donnie Rowe. This story was posted on 2014-10-07 05:47:42
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