The Ravenna City Council had a lot to discuss when they met on Monday night at Ravenna City Hall. Besides considering fire, police and financial reports, the council voted to lower the insurance premium tax from the current 12.5 percent to ten percent.
All voted in favor of the tax rate rollback except Councilman James Richardson.
Mayor Estine Tipton brought the tax cut up again at the last meeting, although Councilman William Van Cleve has long been an advocate of cutting the rate back to ten percent.
Last year’s projected budget has already been surpassed, giving the council confidence to consider and pass the tax cut.
City Clerk Susan Lay said that lowering the rate to 10 percent reduces revenues by about $2,079 for a year.
However, property owners have been paying their taxes. Councilman Louis Officer said, “We’ve been lucky…we’ve only had 12 that didn’t pay property taxes.”
He gave credit to Mayor Estine Tipton for being “on top of it,” and said, “that’s the first time that has happened in a long time.”
The mayor said a few more of the remaining 12 had been in to pay.
The tax cut will be submitted to the state in March 2015 and will take effect on July 1, 2015.
The other big item on the agenda was a presentation by Bryan Kirby about the housing rehabilitation project that is about to get underway in Ravenna.
Kirby said the $843,000 Community Development Block Grant must be utilized by proper procedures, and he was there to present the required ordinances and resolutions for approval.
Among them was a procurement procedure which states that three quotes must be presented for services and materials if they are more than $20,000.
He said part of the idea is to keep the project “as local as we can.”
A resolution for a “rehabilitation plan” was also discussed.
He said the funding for the project through CDGB will be allotted through forgivable deferred loans.
The five year mortgages will be funded at full cost, and one-fifth of them will be forgiven each year for five years. Homeowners will not be required to pay back any of the improvements.
Kirby said everything will be built to Kentucky Building Code standards. He said if a home needs more than $50,000 in renovations, the home will be demolished and built back new.
When bidding begins for the project, bids will go to the lowest qualified bidder. Contractors will be paid in phases, with the final ten percent paid after the final inspection has been passed.
Assistance is also offered for temporary relocation, including costs for housing, storage and moving.
A certification for anti-displacement was also passed, which states, for example, that a three bedroom home can’t be replaced with a one bedroom home.
Other business discussed was the water drainage issue in front of the Ravenna Church of God. All the easements have been prepared and are ready for the signatures of the landowners, then work can begin.
Finally, the council scored three potential administrators for the CDBG, considering experience and familiarity with the project, among other things. Bryan Kirby received the highest overall score and will administer the project, as he did Phase 1.
↧
Ravenna Council lowers insurance premium tax
↧