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Gerald aldermen move to pursue 1-cent sales tax renewal to help fund police payroll
Summary
City Administrator Nick Grube told the Gerald Board of Aldermen the city's 1-cent sales tax sunsets Dec. 2025 and suggested reallocating it to help fund police payroll; the board voted unanimously to begin the paperwork to place the question on the April 2025 ballot with Franklin County.
The Gerald Board of Aldermen voted on Oct. 10, 2024, to begin the process of placing a proposed 1-cent sales tax question on the April 2025 ballot that city staff said could be used to support police payroll.
City Administrator Nick Grube told the board the existing 1-cent sales tax will sunset in December 2025 and proposed the board consider putting the tax question on the April ballot so revenue could go into general revenue and help pay for police positions. Police Chief Jim Helton said the department would like a roster of five officers to allow two officers to be on duty during daytime hours when school is in session.
Alderman Rudy Via made the motion to start the county filing process with Franklin County; Alderman Kyle Guerrant seconded and all members voted aye. Grube said the filing must be completed with Franklin County in December to appear on the April 2025 ballot.
Grube also reported the city is still recruiting for an open public-works position and that applicants to date have not met the position requirements. He notified the board that insurance-broker Winter-Dent is monitoring contract negotiations between Anthem and Mercy and will present other options to the city if those insurers do not reach an agreement.
Next steps: city staff will prepare the necessary documents to file with Franklin County in December and bring updates to the board at future meetings. The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2024.
