Quitman OKs budget for city, QDC

Posted 9/21/16

Quitman City Council members adopted a $3,004,619 budget for the next fiscal year in a meeting Thursday evening. The council had previously adopted a tax rate of $0.4756 per $100 valuation which was …

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Quitman OKs budget for city, QDC

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Quitman City Council members adopted a $3,004,619 budget for the next fiscal year in a meeting Thursday evening. The council had previously adopted a tax rate of $0.4756 per $100 valuation which was lowered from last year’s $0.4882.

“We were able to lower it down and not jeopardize the city as far as revenue is concerned. We are expecting bringing in more sales tax than last year. We expect overall revenue to be more than it was this current year,” Mayor J.R. Evans noted. “The effective rate will actually bring in the same amount of dollars as last year. “

The mayor said the budget process was a definite team effort. “There have been extensive days and nights working on this budget. I want to thank Greg (Hollen) and his staff for all the work they did to get this packet to you,” Evans acknowledged. “I want to thank the department heads for meeting with us on numerous occasions to go over and even make some concessions on their expenditures. It’s been a collaborative effort.”

Alderman Randy Dunn was glad Hollen had included a comparison with other cities in the county. “I was glad to see the comparison of our tax rate with the other towns in our county. With the exception of Yantis, we’re the lowest tax rate and I think that’s a compliment to all of our staff,” Dunn stated. “But also, we have been able to upgrade some departments along the way and still have a positive budget so I am very proud of that.”

Prior to the meeting, the council and the mayor honored former council members James Whitehurst and Toni Cole with appreciation plaques. Whitehurst has recently moved to the Winnsboro area and no longer lives in the city limits. Cole was an alderman from 2010 to 2013 when she became the mayor pro-tem, serving in that capacity until this year when she lost a runoff election after the first election ended in a tie.

In a separate action the council approved the budget for Quitman Development Corporation of $200,203. QDC Executive Director Denea Hudman continues to be excited about growth prospects for Quitman. “I think it says a lot we have had a 15 percent increase in sales tax money. We will continue to seek new businesses as well as work with existing retailers in the best possible ways available,” Hudman confirmed. “We will focus on downtown, but also look to adding housing and retail when and wherever we can. Quitman is moving forward and I am thankful for all those who have had a hand in helping us this past fiscal year.”

In other action, the council appointed Barbara Coleman and Sandra Evans to the Quitman Library Board along with Teresa Dunn and Karon Piper being appointed to the Quitman Park Board.

In another action, the council approved a resolution approving $8,000 from Wood County with the city of Quitman providing library services to the citizens of Wood County. According to city services director and librarian Delene Allen, the Quitman City Library serves 4,663 members from Wood County outside the city limits of Quitman and has 2,420 city members for a total of 7,151 total patrons served.

The council did have a discussion with no action taken on speed and safety on Nathan Street. The possibility of speed bumps or humps was discussed, and also the use of signs and city police presence to slow down traffic on the residential street. There was also discussion concerning building permits and the inspection process with no action taken.