Derma board of aldermen agreed to apply for a grant for a couple of new police cars and to seize property that has taxes owed on them for more than three years.
Dock Gabbert
Mayor Dock Gabbert said the town qualifies for 75% USDA grants for police cars, and the board agreed to apply for two. If they get the grants, the town will be paying around $12,000 per car for their portion.
Aldermen agreed to ask Atty. Paul Moore Jr. to take steps to seize property that taxes had not been paid on for three years.
Gabbert said instead of focusing on getting the tax money, he would like to see the town get the property.
They also agreed to giving Marshall Coleman and Coleman’s Car Tech until August 23 to pay personal taxes that have been paid in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The notice, which will begin publication next week, provides that the process of filing liens and seizing property from Coleman’s Car Tech will begin in late August, if taxes are not paid.
In another matter, the board directed Atty. Moore to attempt to renegotiate their cable franchise agreement with Metrocast. The company has requested to transfer the franchise tax to VCI, who has bought the Metrocast. Moore said Metrocast does not pay Derma as much as they pay Calhoun City.
The board also approved:
•Opting out of state building codes.
•Renasant Bank as the town’s depository. It was the lone bid received.
•Land sale for delinquent taxes for Aug. 25 at 8:30 a.m.
•Hearing to set millage rate and public hearing on the budget Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.
•Mandatory court clerk training in Jackson Sept. 10-12 at no cost to town.
Clerk Deneen Russell said three had been added to the bad debt list– Gina Renee Weaver, This That and Wings and Bobby R. Pulliam.
Upcoming:
City Hall will be closed Sept. 1 for Memorial Day. Next board will be meeting Tuesday, Sept. 2. Kelly Hardin’s workman’s comp case against town of Derma and MS Municipal Workman’s Comp trial will be Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. at the Lafayette County Courthouse.
The board recessed the meeting until August 25.