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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

The Evarts City Council met Wednesday in a special called meeting in order to have the first reading of their 2013 Privilege License Ordinance. Mayor Eddie Manning said a list will be provided to council members at the next scheduled meeting naming all businesses who have not paid their privilege licence tax and the past due amounts.

“Some haven’t paid for years,” said Manning. “I want you all to know who is and who isn’t paying this tax. A lot of times some of the ones complaining about the privilege licence tax going up haven’t paid theirs in years. We haven’t increased the tax but a small amount. If we have to, the ordinance says we can fine those not paying their privilege license tax.”

Councilwoman Jackie Renfro said there will always be some who want to complain.

“They’ve argued about city stickers for years and now they are arguing about this,” said Renfro. “”They don’t have to argue about city stickers anymore with the city doing away with them.”

Manning said with the elimination of the city stickers, the small increases in the city’s privilege license tax will supplement the loss of income from the city stickers.

A second reading of the Privilege License Ordinance will be held at the next meeting of the council.

The council also discussed and approved entering into a contract with Appalachian Wireless to purchase a cell phone for the city’s water department supervisor. Manning said this will cost the city approximately $60 per month.

“To make up this money we have disconnected another phone line no longer needed by the city,” said Manning. “The cost is about the same as what the cell phone will cost per month.”

Councilman Larry Caudill said being able to contact the water department especially during an emergency is vital to the city.

“I believe Cledo (Powers) is one of the most important employees this city has,” said councilman Ernie Woodard. “And, with that said, he needs this cell phone.”

Council members went into executive session per KRS 61.810 (b)(d) and returned with no action taken.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@civitasmedia.com