Bland aldermen propose half-cent sales tax for police

Posted 1/6/21

A public information meeting held on Jan. 4 at the John L. Baxter Administration Building in Bland was meant to discuss why a half-cent sales tax on the April ballot is needed to fund the Bland …

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Bland aldermen propose half-cent sales tax for police

Posted

A public information meeting held on Jan. 4 at the John L. Baxter Administration Building in Bland was meant to discuss why a half-cent sales tax on the April ballot is needed to fund the Bland Police Department — except no one showed up to listen.

According to Public Works Director Jason Lewis, the city clerk and two aldermen were the only ones in attendance to discuss the sales tax that will be on the April 6 ballot. Aldermen voted 4-0 in December to place the tax question on the April 2021 ballot.

“I have no information on the PD tax, it is a proposition to a half-cent sales tax increase that would go directly to the police department’s budget,” said City Clerk Carrie Krupp. “They currently do not have a budget.”

It is unclear at this time if a second informational meeting will be attempted.

The city of Bland, known mostly for their write-in candidates, had two candidates file on Tuesday, Dec. 22 for the board of aldermen.

During business hours, Alderman Mark Ferran filed his candidacy at 2 p.m., closely followed around 3:15 p.m. by Alderman Diana Mayfield. The Bland Board of Aldermen has two two-year terms and one one-year term for alderman at-large seats.

The two-year seats are currently held by Mayfield, who was elected to the position, and Ned Steiner, who was appointed in November to replace Alderman Sherry Spradling.

The one-year term is currently held by Ferran, who was appointed in October to replace Tommy Thompson. For more information, call the city’s John L. Baxter Administration Building at 646-3252.