JACKSON ALDERMEN KEEP CITY TAX RATE STEADY

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen did something Monday night sure to please the city's property owners: It didn't raise taxes.

The 1999 tax rate the board approved is the same rate the city has had for the past two years. The rate is 99 cents per $100 assessed valuation for anyone who lives in the city limits as they were in 1965. Those who live outside those city limits pay 87 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

The 1965 city limits define the boundaries of the Jackson Library District, and the 12 extra cents those residents pay goes to the district. Jackson residents who live outside the city library district are in the Riverside Regional Library District.

The city's total current valuation for 1999 is $107,206,855, an increase of about $5 million more than the previous year. The increase is $3.2 million in new construction and real estate-related improvements, $1.6 million in increased personal property and $250,000 in annexed territory.

Tax revenues accounted for in the city's 2000 budget are:

-- $653,950 for general fund.

-- $70,800 for the library.

-- $75,050 for the cemetery.

-- $128,650 for parks.

-- $75,050 for the municipal band.

That total is $1,003,500.

After the 1997 reassessment, the Jackson Board of Aldermen reduced its tax rate by 5 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The rate remains 5 cents below the authorized ceiling.

In other business Monday, the board:

-- A approved the purchase and installation of a radio repeater system for the Public Works Department. There are places in the city where reception on the current system is spotty, according to City Administrator Steve Wilson.

Wilson said this is the first step in upgrading the city's entire radio system. He said money to upgrade the radio systems used by the police and fire departments will be budgeted.

-- Scheduled a mutual tour of facilities with the Cape Girardeau City Council.

Jackson Board of Aldermen Agenda

7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16

City Hall

Public hearings

-- Held hearing to consider the proposed 1999 tax rate to be set by the mayor and Board of Aldermen.

Action items

Power and Light Committee

-- Authorized out-of-district sewer connection for residence located at 1716 W. Jackson Blvd. (Lateral District 1-G-1A).

Street Committee

-- Approved an ordinance establishing and approving the 1999 tax rate.

-- Authorized the purchase and installation of a radio repeater system for the Public Works Department.

-- Approved Pay Request #5 to Lappe Cement Finishing Inc. in the amount of $69,117.58 under the East Main Street Extension Project Contract.

-- Granted permission to local civic organizations and businesses to sell YELL newspapers on city streets, excluding signaled intersections, on Sept. 14.

-- Approved the preliminary plat of Oak Forest Sixth Subdivision as submitted by John Lichtenegger of Appleton Valley Farm Inc.

-- Approved the final plat of Green Meadows Fifth Subdivision as submitted by John Lichtenegger of Appleton Valley Farm Inc.

-- Accepted an easement deed for road right-of-way from Appleton Valley Farm Inc. et al.