County Commissioners approve direction for Special Tax Lighting

Published 7:15 am Wednesday, February 26, 2014

During its Tuesday night meeting, the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a new Special Tax Lighting Fee. This fee had not been updated since 1995, and last fiscal year the program operated at a deficit of $47,597.30.

The commission voted to provide direction on the new rates, and the county’s planning and finance departments plan to follow up with an updated special tax lighting resolution.

Previously the rate for a standard lot was $30 annually, and $53.50 annually for decorative and enhanced lots. The direction staff proposed, and the one the commissioners chose was revenue neutral with enhanced district, meaning the new fee would be $37.50 annually for standard lots, $61.50 annually for decorative lots, and $200 annually for enhanced lots.

Staff will review the special tax lighting program every year to make sure they are on top of any rate changes from their power providers.

The County Commission also unanimously approved to purchase a new pump for the Stone Creek Lift Station, for the amount of $13,184.

The pump at the Stone Creek lift station had to be pulled and inspected by the manufacturer and upon inspection, it was recommended that the pump either be replaced or repaired. At the work session, Mike Allen, Lowndes County utilities manager said, “The cost to rebuild this pump is almost 75 percent of the cost to purchase a new pump,” so the commission voted to purchase a new pump.

The Lowndes County Commissioners unanimously voted to close an unopened Right of Way off of Hwy 41 South.

During the citizens to be heard portion of the meeting, Danielle Jordan voiced her opposition to the Sabal Trail Transmission pipeline because “it violates personal property rights, causes safety concerns, and causes troublesome environmental impacts.” She then presented the commission with a packet of research.