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Mayor: wheel-tax petition submitted; jail estimate $20'$25 million; $305,000 ambulance grant awarded
Summary
The mayor updated the commission: a wheel-tax petition is under review for the November ballot; a proposed jail site is estimated at $20'$25 million; a $305,000 federal nonmatching grant will pay for a new ambulance; other grant-funded projects include a $2 million broadband project and a Ward Nature Trail grant of about $97,000.
Mayor reported several ongoing projects and grant awards that will affect county services and capital planning.
'2Wheel Tax was approved on June 22,' the mayor said, and a petition has been presented to the election commission for validation; if validated, the referendum would appear on the November ballot. The mayor told commissioners the proposed jail site next to the fire hall has an engineer estimate pending and he expects the project cost estimate to remain between $20 million and $25 million.
The mayor also outlined multiple grant-funded efforts: a $2 million broadband project tied to the Historic Ward School is on a fast track; a Ward Nature Trail (13 acres) connecting the Ward School to downtown was funded by grants totaling roughly $97,000 (nonmatching); and the county received a federal, nonmatching grant of $305,000 to purchase a new ambulance, which the mayor said should reduce the average property owner's tax by about $50. He also referenced a recent chemical spill in January and said county and water authorities, and a named contact (Tim), are coordinating bottled-water assistance for affected residents.
Commissioners asked for clarification and staff follow-up on timing and engineering estimates; the mayor closed with an update that bids for broadband-related work will be reviewed shortly.
