By Ray King
Proposed ordinances calling for the levying of a one-cent sales and use tax for a period of 10 years and calling for a special election to levy the tax received do not pass recommendations from the Ways and Means Committee of the Pine Bluff City Council Monday night.
The committee, composed of Council Members Steven Mays, Glen Brown and Lloyd Holcomb, the three senior members of the council, wasted little time in making their feelings known. That action came several hours after Mayor Vivian Flowers held a press conference to propose the tax.
After the meeting, Mays explained his position on the issue.
Council member Lanette Frazier also told Deltaplex News she was opposed to the tax.
A proposed ordinance that would abolish the Urban Renewal Agency and transfer all its assets and liabilities to the City of Pine Bluff was read once and placed on the calendar. Also read once was a proposed ordinance changing the command structure of the Pine Bluff Police Department by eliminating two deputy chief positions and adding two assistant chiefs. One Lieutenant’s position would be eliminated as would one Sergeant’s position.
The council also voted to authorize the Mayor to contract with Liberty Utilities and Watson Chapel Water Association to collect sanitation fees from customers of CARDS, the city’s news garbage collection company. Liberty and Watson Chapel Water previously collected fees for garbage service by Waste Management.
