SCOTT CITY RESIDENTS TO CONSIDER SALES TAX HIKE

SCOTT CITY -- Voters will be asked in November to approve a quarter-cent sales tax hike in Scott City to pay for a new fire truck, the Scott City Council decided Monday.

In a unanimous vote, the council approved putting the measure on the ballot. Mayor Larry Forhan said it's the only way the city can afford to replace its aging fire truck.

"A new fire truck will also improve our fire safety rating, making insurance costs less for everyone," Forhan said.

He said a sales tax is the fairest tax to impose.

"That's the only kind of tax the council and I would feel comfortable recommending for this type of capitol improvement," he said. "It means that people who stop in off the interstate to purchase things here are helping to pay for part of our fire truck."

The tax hike, which needs only a simple majority to pass, will generate about $55,000 per year. City officials then plan to purchase a new fire truck through a lease-purchase plan.

The tax would be effective for five years, unless terminated sooner. Fire Chief Les Crump estimated the cost of a new truck at $200,000.

Forhan said it was on Crump's recommendation that the city considered finding a way to pay for a new truck. He said the city's fire safety rating has fallen because of the aging fire truck.

The mayor said the fire department "is one of the most important resources our city has. And when people need it, they need to have the best equipment available."

The city last month considered adding $1 per month to the city water bills to pay for the truck. City Attorney Frank Siebert said earlier this month that method would violate state law if it were not first approved by voters.

A small portion of the money generated from the tax would also pay for fire truck accessories, like ladders and hoses. But council members stressed that the money cannot legally be used for any other city department or any other purpose.

"We want to make sure people know that," said council member Ladonna Phelps.

In other business, the mayor appointed a nine-member committee to study cable television service. Four council members will serve on the committee, Phelps, Ron Oller, John Rodgers and John Smith. The mayor and four residents, one from each ward who have yet to be appointed, will also sit on the committee.

The committee will review the quality of the city's cable service, Forhan said. The cable contract comes up for renewal next year.

A public hearing date was also scheduled to set the city's property tax rate. The proposed rate is $1.29 per $100 of assessed valuation. The hearing was set for Sept. 8 at 7:15 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.