V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
The Jefferson City Council swore in re-elected Ward 1 Alderman Jim Finstrom and newly elected Ward 3 Alderman Richard Turner during Monday night’s special City Council meeting.
Mayor Rob Baker opened the meeting with a moment of silence for former Mayor Bob Avery and former County Commissioners Eugene Robinson who passed away last week.
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur gave the oaths of office to Finstrom and Turner welcoming them back to the Council table.
LaFleur also addressed Council during public comment to thank the City and especially Baker and Ward 2 Alderman Tyrani Braddock for their assistance during the County’s COVID-19 vaccination events.
“I came on behalf of the citizens of mc to thank each of you for your support over the last few months for their support during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said LaFleur. “In particular I’d like to thank Mayor Rob Baker and Alderman Tyrani Braddock for their help not only to city of Jefferson but to residents of Marion county and the surrounding communities who received their COVID-19 vaccinations here in this building. Anytime I called upon the city for their help it was unwavering support, so on behalf I’d like to thank you, especially Rob and Tyrani.”
Baker called for a canvassing of the City’s election on May 1. In the election, Ward 1 candidate Finstrom received 14 votes during early voting and three on election day, for a total of 17 votes. In Ward 2, incumbent Braddock received 12 votes in early voting, five by absentee, and three on election day, Ward 2 challenger Robin Moore received 18 votes in early voting, none by absentee, and two on election day. In Ward 3, incumbent Victor Perot received 58 votes in early voting, two by absentee, and 18 on election day; Ward 3 challenger Turner received 61 votes in early voting, none by absentee, and 21 on election day.
Winners in the election were Ward 1 Finstrom with 17 votes; and Ward 3 was Turner with 82 votes. Ward 2 ended in a tie with both candidates receiving 20 votes. As neither candidate wished to withdraw or chose to draw lots, the City will be holding a new election for the Ward 2 Alderman seat in June. Council will set that election during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
LaFleur returned to the podium to request the City Council send a letter to our State Representative Chris Paddie, Senator Bryan Hughes, and Governor Abbott to oppose the passing of HB 4072 which changes where the sales tax on goods is delivered. Currently, the sales tax is based on where the item is sold. HB 4072 changes it to location of consumption of the item.
“Its not a very controversial bill or gotten a lot of publicity,” said LaFleur, “but it has a lot to do with our community here. We’re an origin based sales tax. If you buy something here you pay tax to the City of Jefferson. This switches us to a destination based sales tax. So if a Lowe’s in Wisconsin buys a million dollars worth of OSB from Norbord, the sales tax is paid in Wisconsin. This does benefit the state representative who introduced this bill because he’s in a large urban area. Texas is known for being good for business. But, we can’t offer things that are good for business if we don’t make any revenue off of it. We can’t provide sewer, water, fire department… whatever the case may be, we can’t do that if we don’t make any revenue off sales. I ask you to oppose this bill in every shape, form and fashion. Small business people will have to pay another salary to figure out where all to send the sales tax.”
“I think it would be a powerful message for a small ne Texas town to come out against this. It’s not on anybody’s radar right now and it needs to be. I’m asking the Commissioners to consider this at their next meeting. Let me give you an example. The City of Coppell’s sales tax revenue funds 80% of their annual budget. If this bill goes into effect, the City of Coppell goes bankrupt with their next budget cycle.”
“This would absolutely kill economic development corporations as well ,” said Turner.
“Absolutely,” said LaFleur.
Council voted 6-0 to oppose the bill.
In other business, Council approved a building permit for Mark McKay to add a circle driveway to his home on the corner of Henderson and Market streets. The drive will be added on the Henderson Street side.
Lastly, Council approved street closures for this coming week. Austin Street from Walnut to Polk from 8p to Midnight for the 2021 JISD Prom; the “Mardi Gras” Parade Route from 5:30-6:30p May 18 for the JISD Senior Parade; and Austin Street from Polk to Vale from 8a-2p on May 22 for the Marion County Courthouse Rededication Ceremony. The “Mardi Gras” Parade Route is from Walnut to Austin, Austin to Market, Market to Lafayette, Lafayette to Polk, and Polk to Broadway.