Aldermen okay first reading of tax freeze

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen took the first step in implementing a tax freeze on elderly and disabled citizens during their regular meeting November 28.

Aldermen discussed and approved the first reading of Ordinance 365, which calls for a limitation on real property ad valorem taxes on the residential homesteads of persons ages 65 and over and of disabled persons. The tax limitation would become effective January 1, 2007, and the ordinance empowers the city government to take all the necessary actions to implement the freeze.

Ordinance 365 also states that the freeze is adopted under the current state laws and any future changes in those laws would not be in effect in the city until they are adopted by future ordinance.

A final reading and a vote on passage of the ordinance will take place during the board’s next regular meeting on December 14.

In other city business, aldermen unanimously voted to reappoint Mark White, Janice Knorpp, and Roger Estlack to the board of directors of the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation and also tapped Bill Stavenhagen to be a new member of that board. Stavenhagen takes the place of Will Thompson, who chose not to be reappointed.

Aldermen considered flood insurance for city wells and the city library, and the board asked for the price of such insurance to be broken down so that the county could be asked to pay one-half of the cost for the library. The city and county generally split the operating costs for the library.

Jeannie Molder updated the board on grant applications she is working on to improve City Park and possibly to build a community storm shelter.

Molder said the storm shelter application would have to be delayed until next year because of the complexity of applying for the federal grant and because there was not enough time to consult with an engineer on the building’s specifications.

She also said a final determination on whether the park grant is successful or not will not be made until next August.