JACKSON ALDERMEN CUT PROPERTY TAXES

The Jackson Board of Alderman voted to lower the 1998 property tax rate by 5 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

The city rate was set at 99 cents per $100 for those residents who resided in the city prior to 1965. Those residents pay an extra 12 cents per $100 for the city library.

Residents who moved into the city after 1965 pay a rate 87 cents per $100. All residents, who pay property tax, pay 61 cents for general revenue, 7 cents for the cemetery, 12 cents for the park, and 7 cents for the city band. The total amount of property tax revenues budgeted for 1997 is $899,025.

The rate has gone down over the past three years. In 1996 the property tax rate was set at $1.05 per $100 valuation and in 1997 it was $1.04.

Each tax rate is determined by dividing the amount of revenue required by the current assessed valuation. The result is multiplied by 100 so the tax rate will be expressed in cents per $100 valuation.

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said he was pleased to offer the residents of Jackson the tax break.

"We should give the citizens of Jackson a break in taxes when we can," he said, "since our city is experiencing such a good financial situation."

Sander said the city is experiencing the best financial situation in its history.

"We have been able to maintain a good financial condition of this city and at the same time reduce taxes this year," he said.

Sander said the tax break is due to good city leadership that has put city spending under budget.

"We have had good councils and good conservative leadership; this has contributed to our financial condition," said Sander.

Monday, Aug. 18

Power and Light committee

-- Certified the Aug. 5 election results.

-- Set the date for the annual city Christmas party for Dec. 12.

Street committee

-- Passed an ordinance establishing and approving the 1997 tax rate.

-- Passed an ordinance approving the rezoning of all of the property addressed as 1701 S. Hope St. from-1 and R-2 (single family residential) to R-3 (general residential) as submitted by Dr. Howard Jones of the Jackson R-2 School District.

-- Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15, to consider the request for a special-use permit at 820 Amanda St. for the establishment and operation of a family home day-care facility as home occupation.

-- Approved the preliminary plat of Pioneer Subdivision Unit No. 2 submitted by Bill Hopkins, contingent upon annexation into the city limits.

-- Approved the minor subdivision plat of Collier Subdivision as submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Ron Collier.

-- Approved the final plat of the second phase of Savannah Ridge Subdivision.

-- Approved the final plat of Breckenridge Estates Subdivision.

-- Amended the "Stop Street" schedule to include new stop street designations on Boxwood Drive, Redbud Street, Lilac Lane, Greenleaf Avenue, Bramblewood Drive, Tanglewood, Stotlar Way, Mansfield Place, Eagle Drive and Lacy Street.

-- Approved levying a special assessment for the improvement of Olive, Forest and Independence streets and authorized the issuance of tax bills.

-- Approved an application for 3.2 percent non-intoxicating beer by the drink license for Chandler and Associates, Inc., dba Mazzio's Pizza, 2259 E. Jackson Blvd..

-- Approved an application for 5 percent beer by the drink license for Steve and Teresa Blankenship, dba Crites Tavern, 122 and 124 S. High St.

-- Accepted portions of East Main Street in Green Meadows Fourth Subdivision as a public street and also accept water and sewer systems serving those lots along the street.