Aldermen vote to raise motel bed tax rate

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to raise the Motel Bed Tax rate during their regular meeting on May 24.

An amendment to Ordinance 270 would increase the tax rate from four percent to seven percent of the cost of a hotel room. A second reading and a final vote on the increase will be held at the board’s next meeting on June 14.

If approved, the tax on an $80 motel room would increase from $3.20 to $5.60, a difference of $2.40.

The city will contact local motels to advise them of the increase.

In other city business, Tom Stauder addressed the board on behalf of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which has been working to improve land across the street from the church that was originally occupied by St. Mary’s Academy. The church has sown that block with grass, and Stauder asked the board to consider donating or reducing the charges for water needed to get the grass established, the cost of which was estimated to be about $800 for the summer.

Mayor Tex Selvidge and the board said the city was depending on income from its water utility to help pay for this year’s street project, and they expressed concerns over setting a precedent for discounting water rates.

Alderman Michael Tibbets offered to donate a rifle to the church, which could then be raffled off to raise money for the project. Stauder accepted Tibbets’ offer and thanked him on behalf of the church.

City Administrator Sean Pate reported that Clarendon ranked 31st in its application for a Community Development Block Grant to fund improvements to the water pressure system on the west side of town. The city will, therefore, not receive this grant; and Pate said that there likely will not be any more CDBG grants if the Bush administration has its way.

Pate recommended the city look at a 40-year, low interest loan/grant program through the US Department of Agriculture to fund the water pressure project. The board asked him to get more information.

Pate also reported citizens’ complaints about semi-trucks that are being left running all night in residential areas. An amendment to the nuisance ordinance was discussed, and the board also expressed concerns about what effect the weight of tractor-trailer rigs would have on the new paving when its completed.

Bids for that paving project will be opened during a called session of the board on June 2 at 2 p.m.