Lake Charles City Council sets agenda for meeting next week
Published 7:18 am Wednesday, November 27, 2013
From zoning districts to roadway projects, Tuesday’s city council agenda meeting referenced a number of familiar issues to be addressed during next week’s regular meeting. After finalizing the agenda, council president Luvertha August addressed some of the council’s minor housekeeping items.
August brought up the fact that there was an agenda meeting scheduled for Dec. 24 and another meeting scheduled for Jan. 1. She said something needed to be done to change the dates. The council decided to cancel the December meeting and move the other to Jan. 2.
Mayor Randy Roach spoke during the meeting and discussed items concerning sales taxes and tax exemptions. Roach asked that the council to add an item to the agenda to proposition for the renewal of a one cent sales tax and a one-quarter cent sales tax. Roach said it’s important to be open and informative about the possible renewals.
“That’s why we’re taking advantage of this process tonight,” Roach said.
The taxes are not new. In fact, the city has a long history with both. The one cent sales tax was originally authorized in 1965. The one-quarter cent sales tax was originally authorized in 1995. The renewals for the once cent sales tax would take effect March 2015 and last 25 years. The renewal for the one-quarter cent sales tax would take effect in April 2015 and last 10 years. Councilman Rodney Geyen said it will be important to make sure the public understands how the taxes are not new.
“Sometimes our citizens may think it’s a new tax and we don’t want to make a mistake in that area,” Geyen said.
Roach also asked the council to add an item to the agenda concerning a resolution to allow the city to enter into the state’s Competitive Projects Tax Exemption Program. Within the details, Roach mentioned how the program could positively effect the local economy. Councilman Mark Eckard said it’s always good when the city can bring in business from multiple areas.
“This proposal brings non manufacturing into the playing field,” Eckard said. He went on to say it’s important for the city to “diversify the local economy.”
(American Press Archives)
