Sales tax holiday impacts city revenue during first quarter
On Monday night, the Clinton City Council passed a budget amendment to compensate for insurance costs and to move money from reserves for capital expenditures.
In a report, Chris Phillips, the city’s financial manager, said that one-fourth of the way into the fiscal year, the city’s revenues have been mostly as expected.
But income from sales taxes was down due to the holiday on sales taxes on food.
Phillips said, though, that he expects the sales tax revenues to improve.
Also, Philips said a new fire truck and several police cars were paid for from reserves.
The council passed on the first of two readings an ordinance modifying the zoning code.
This measure would change the deadline for making required corrections to an approved site plan from 10 days to 30 days.
It would also allow 21 days instead of 14 on the application process for telecommunication tower standards and site plans. It also deals with the permitting of recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds.
Kelly Johnson, director of schools, said that for the first time, letter grades would be issued for the city’s schools beginning in December.
She said that the standards have changed, but under the original standards, Clinton Elementary and South Clinton Elementary schools would have both received an “A” and North Clinton Elementary would have received a “B.”
However, she said, “Our schools continue to do well.”
Katherine Birkbeck, program director of Historic Downtown Clinton, informed the council that last week 30 trees were planted at the Carden Farm Dog Park.
Houck said the county requested transfer of about 4.5 acres of land near the dog park from city ownership to county ownership in order for the county to construct an animal shelter on the site.
Councilman David Queener made a motion to delay action on the issue until the December council meeting. That motion passed unanimously.
The city manager said repaving had been completed on J.D. Yarnell Industrial Parkway, and that repaving should start soon at Mariner Point.
Paula Murray, city payroll clerk, was appointed deputy city recorder.
There were two citizens who spoke in favor of allowing Clinton residents to raise chickens in their yards. They were referred to the Planning Commission.
Because Christmas Day falls on the normal City Council meeting day this year, the December meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Dec 15.