By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting Thursday evening, the Paris City Commission conducted first reading on a proposed ordinance that would include an 8 percent COLA increase for all city employees and a 10 percent increase in cost of healthcare premiums, discussed the proposed 2022 Tax Rate Ordinance, approved an interlocal agreement with the Henry County Trustees’ office and said they plan to initiate meetings with Paris Special School District officials to discuss security measures at the Paris Elementary/Civic Center building.
The commission also approved second reading on an ordinance to amend the Fiscal 2023 budget.
A special meeting was set for 11 a.m. June 27 to act on the proposed tax rate ordinance and the proposed 2023 budget. The current property tax rate is $.80 per $100 of assessed value.
The FY 2023 Budget Ordinance includes:
• An 8% COLA for all employees.
• A 10% increase in the cost of healthcare premiums.
• An increase of $300,000 to the paving budget to bring it to $1,000,000. • The receipt of the second half of the Federally funded ARPA – State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund in the amount of $1,491,875.
It also includes two new full-time positions: a second Codes Enforcement Officer and another Equipment Operator II and includes seven ongoing grant projects, including the completion of sidewalks along Wilson & Patriot Streets, new signalization in downtown (2 grants), replacement of the Rison Street bridge, a home repair/replace program, downtown building improvements, and a signalization & sidewalk project along Tyson/Mineral Wells. Total matching dollars for these grants are $145,000.
City Manager Kim Foster said city officials realize that an eight percent COLA increase for employees is more than some others in the local area, “but we can balance our budget with it“ and city officials are looking to being able to keep their employees.
During the public comment section, Jennifer Cvetkovitch and Mandy Thomas said they are concerned with safety and security at the Paris Elementary and Civic Center building, especially in the area of the walking track entrance. Cvetkovitch suggested metal detectors and other safeguards.
City commission members voiced a desire to revisit the security issue with PSSD officials. Foster said, “We will definitely talk to the school officials.”
In other business, the commission approved an interlocal agreement with the Henry County Trustees’ office.
Foster said, “Several weeks ago, Henry Co Trustee Randi French approached us about her office taking over the process of billing and collecting property taxes for the City of Paris. Not only would she like to take over this process from us, but from all of the municipalities in the County. For Mrs. French it’s a matter of customer service to the citizens of Henry Co.,” Foster said.
The Trustees’ Office would charge a small fee of 1% of anything collected for providing this service. Foster said, “After thinking about her offer and comparing the cost to the benefits, we feel it would be a huge win-win for the County Trustee’s office to take over our Property Tax billing and collections. Not only will they be mailing notices and collecting property tax payments, but they will also be handling tax relief, reassessments and all of the other sundry responsibilities that accompany property tax.”
The Trustee Office has a higher collection rate of 99 percent, compared to the city’s rate of 91 percent, Foster said.
–The commission referred a request from Julia Puckett at 201 Maple St. to acquire an undeveloped alley. The request was referred to the planning commission.
–The commission vote to proceed with purchase of land adjacent to the Paris-Henry Co. Landfill. The property is a 2.2 acre undeveloped parcel of land on Jones Bend Rd. adjacent to the landfill.
Photo: Several people were on hand for Thursday evening’s city commission meeting. Shannon McFarlin photo.
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