GAINESVILLE - Gainesville Mayor Myrtle Figueras wanted to make it clear Tuesday that the city council does not act on school board tax issues, but the city does issue the tax bills.
Figueras said it's a matter of state law once the school board passes a budget, and that law enables the city to get ready to issue tax bills.
The council voted to fix the school tax rate at a tentative 7.81 mills, but it's the school board that has set a final vote on it a week from Thursday.
"We've got to make sure we do it now so that we can send out the tax bills on time so that a person will know what they've got to pay," Figueras said.
Gainesville school taxpayers already know they've got to pay just over 12 percent more than last year to cover the system's $5.6-million 2008 spending deficit that sprang from the books and led to the dismissal of School Superintendent Steve Ballowe.
"The City of Gainesville is not going up on anybody's tax," Figueras added. "This is a school board item; school board taxes are being raised but the city has to collect them on behalf of the school board."
DRUGGED WATER?
Possible contamination from prescription drugs flushed into the water system by consumers got Gainesville City Council's attention.
Councilman Bob Hamrick said other cities were taking precautions and educating the public about proper disposal, he asked if Gainesville should do the same.
"Before it poses a problem, maybe we should have more facts to determine if we have a problem,"Hamrick said.
City Manager Bryan Shuler said he would meet soon with District Health Director Dr. David Westfall for advise about proper drug disposal.
Friday
October 18th, 2024
4:54AM
