COUNCIL APPROVES PROPERTY TAX LEVY

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday night gave its final approval to the property tax levy for the city.

The rate is set to be same as the previous year -- 65 cents per $100 of assessed value. That means that for every $100 of assessed value a home owner must pay 65 cents. The assessed value for residential property is 19 percent of the actual value.

The total tax bill for Cape Girardeau residents is about $4.64 per $100 of assessed value. The additional taxes are paid to the county, the state and the school districts.

When a person pays the city tax bill the money goes to fund the library, debt service, public health and the general revenue fund. The tax levy represents about $2 million of the city's $34 million budget.

The council approved rezoning the northeast corner of Bertling and Sprigg streets to accommodate student housing.

The plot of land is about 11 acres and will be the site for Place Collegiate Properties' new eight-building and 360-room apartment complexes for student housing.

The council made it illegal for residents to place advertisements on city street signs.

It also halted demolition of the old St. Francis Hospital.