KINGWOOD — The next step in implementing a municipal tax in Kingwood is to submit the proposal to the state tax department.
In addition to the proposed ordinance, which was read and approved once by council, the state will look at a map of the city’s boundaries and information on which businesses would collect the tax.
Councilwoman Michelle Whetsell brought the tax to council for consideration. Kingwood is looking at joining more than 40 other towns that have the 1 percent tax on sales in the city. Prescriptions, fuel and some other sales are exempt.
Whetsell said Tuesday she hopes to have the application packet ready this week.
A second reading of the ordinance and public hearing are required before it can be implemented.
Also at the meeting:
- Recorder Bill Robertson clarified his statement to Main Street Kingwood (MSK) at the last meeting. When he said MSK could ask for more than the quarterly contribution of $2,500 at one time, he did not mean that the total contribution would increase beyond $10,000.
- Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Stiles said he was approached by a DJ about the city holding teen dances at the civic center. Stiles said these were discontinued six years ago because of threats of violence, fights, drugs and finding a knife on a teen. Police Chief Charlie Haney said while it would be good to sponsor something for kids, he isn’t sure this is it.
- Susan Bolyard was hired for office work at the rate of $11 per hour, 20 hours per week.
- Approval was given to buy a new server for city offices, replacing a 12-year-old one. The $5,999 cost will be split by the city, sewer board and water board.
- Council agreed to pay diggers $14,682.71 to redo the motor in the backup garbage packer. The cost includes one-year warranty.
- Attorney Virginia Hopkins was hired to write an agreement between the city and the Jim Dailey estate, allowing the city to enter a lot adjacent to 146 S. Price St. during demolition of the building at 146.
- Stone Paving’s bid of $43,639 to pave Beverly Street was accepted.
- Council approved spending $405 for programming to allow city police to connect to the county’s computer aided dispatch system.
- Whetsell said she and City Supervisor Bruce Pyles looked at street signs, and she believes about 150 are needed.
