CITY OF JONESBORO

PUBLIC HEARING - MILLAGE MINUTES

August 27, 2008

The City of Jonesboro held the first and 2^nd in a series of three Public Hearings regarding the annual Millage rate for 2008 at 124 North Avenue. Mayor Luther Maddox declared the meeting open at 2:00 p.m.

The following Councilmember’s were present:

Luther Maddox - Mayor

Rick Yonce - Councilmember

Roger Grider - Councilmember

Bobby Wiggins - Councilmember

Billy Powell – Councilmember

Clarence Mann - Councilmember

Staff Present: Sandra Meyers – Finance Officer and Janice Truhan – City Clerk

Attendees present from the public were Nancy Coffman-business owner and Linda Wenz - resident.

Luther Maddox called the Public Hearing to order and called for public comments.

Mrs. Nancy Coffman requested that the Council not punish business owners. Councilmember Wiggins stated that there needs to be an accounting in the budget. He suggested change to the Homestead exemption before adopting the Millage rate. Councilmember Yonce stated that the Millage rate needed to remain at zero and that the Homestead can be voted on. Councilmember Grider asked why property tax revenues were included in the budget and that they should not be. Councilmember Clarence Mann asked what we do with the taxes we collect. He stated that the zero tax base offers incentive to business. Mayor Maddox stated that without property taxes there will not be any Ad Valorem taxes. He requested Ms. Meyers prepare as spreadsheet and to project it to the end of year. Councilmember Grider requested that the amount in reserve be included in spreadsheet. Ms. Meyers sated that we have to make up the Millage rate.

Mayor Maddox asked if there were any further questions. None.

Mayor Maddox requested a motion to close the 2:00 p.m. Public Hearing. Approved. [Motion: Grider, 2^nd: Powell, vote: unanimous].

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LUTHER W. MADDOX MAYOR JANICE TRUHAN – CITY CLERK