Winston County Journal
A packed crowd attended the regularly scheduled Louisville Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, Sept. 7 during a public hearing on a proposed tax increase. None of the over three dozen citizens questioned the tax increase proposal but addressed concerns over neighborhood safety and the need for increased police presence among other matters.
The Westside Neighborhood Watch group outlined several problems concerning local citizens and asked for the board's help in correcting the problems.
The group addressed the problems of street crimes in the neighborhoods, health and safety issues and repaving.
"Westside has problems with speeding and drugs in the neighborhoods," said Robert Finch.
"We think if more officers were visible in the neighborhoods it would help," said Nannie Finch.
Mayor Louis Taunton agreed there was a problem in the neighborhoods and asked Police Chief Ricky Peterson to address the matter.
Chief Peterson noted the Louisville Police Department is short on manpower to cover the 16 square miles of the city.
"That is why I have been asking for more help and officers," said Peterson. "We don't have enough people to do what we need to do."
After further discussion Peterson said he would work on plan to increase officer presence in the neighborhoods with safety checks and more use of the reserve officers.
The group also questioned the board on the safety hazard posed by Jake's Iron and Metal located on 328 Railroad Avenue.
"We don't want to put anyone out of business but we do want it (Jake's Iron and Metal) brought up to standards," said Finch.
City Attorney Taylor Tucker noted the city was pursuing the matter in Circuit Court after Jake's had been found guilty for violation of city ordinances by the municipal court. The circuit court judgements had been delayed due to the illness of the business's attorney and the city is set to file an injunction in chancery court to close the recycling business until the ordinance is met or a judgement in the circuit court can be reached.
The board was also set to examine the cleanup of any adjoining properties that were not zoned for manufacturing but were being used as part of the iron and metal business.
According to Tucker to meet the manufacturing zoning requirements, Jake's would need to add or improve on the fenced area around the area at the property line and pile materials according to the outline of the requirments.
The group also requested the repaving of several streets in the city.
"Right now there are no funds in the budget for repaving," said City Engineer Kenny Morris. Morris noted the amount in the budget before its approval would only funded street maintenance projects.
Robert Finch on behalf of the group thanked the board for their time and said they would return to help highlight problems in the city as they arose.
Ward 4 Alderman Eugene Crosby and other board members thanked the group for their concerns and input.
With no input during the public hearing on the tax increase, the motion for a tax increase from 13.3 mils to 14.3 mils failed with a vote of 2-3. Ward Two alderwoman Judy McLeod and Ward Three alderwoman Bessie Love voted for the millage increase. McLeod had cited in an earlier meeting her concern over police and fire protection funding as the need for the increase.
The tax increase would have added an estimated $30,000 to the budget next year.
The board then prepared to finalize the budget. The board added several expenditures to the budget including $20,000 for animal control.
"This indicates the need and our concern for animal control in the city," said Giles Ward, Alderman at Large.
The board also corrected street paving and fire training budgets to reflect mandated amounts from reimbursements to the city that can only be used for those purposes.
The board also amended the city employees' health insurance policy in order to save additional funds.
The board then approved a finalized budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Concerns over funding also prompted, Ward to resurrect a plan to request a 2 percent hotel/motel tax for economic and beneficial uses to the city.
With a 3-2 vote in favor of the measure, Mayor Taunton vetoed the resolution.
The tax if allowed by the state legislature could have added an estimated $70,000 to the city budget.
In other matters, the board:
approved the docket of claims for $151,685.
Reappointed Terry Reynolds to the Winston County Economic Development Board.
Went into executive session to discuss a series of personnel matters and possible litigation matters.
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