THE CITY OF ELKTON STILL DOESN’T HAVE A REAL PROPERTY TAX RATE SET FOR NEXT YEAR AFTER A PROPOSED INCREASE FAILED FOR LACK OF A MOTION AT A SPECIAL-CALLED MEETING MONDAY NIGHT.

            AN ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE RATE FROM 24.8 TO 25 CENTS PER 100 DOLLARS OF ASSESSED VALUE HAD PASSED WITH TWO “NO” VOTES LAST WEEK, BUT GARNERED NO SUPPORT TONIGHT.

            THE BOARD ALSO CHOSE TO AT LEAST PUT OFF A 10-THOUSAND DOLLAR DONATION TO THE TODD COUNTY INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION WITH SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS EXPRESSING CONCERNS THAT THE GROUP HAS ONLY WORKED TO BRING JOBS TO GUTHRIE IN RECENT YEARS AND HAS FOCUSED VERY LITTLE ON ELKTON.

            WITH THAT MONEY IN LIMBO, COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID POWELL SAID HE DIDN’T SEE A RUSH TO RAISE TAXES TO GAIN VERY LITTLE EXTRA REVENUE.

            CITY CLERK AND TREASURER LAURA BROCK SAID SHE WOULD WORK WITH WHAT COUNCIL GIVES HER, BUT CAUTIONED SEVERAL ITEMS MAY COME IN OVER BUDGET THIS YEAR.

            ELKTON CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET IN SPECIAL SESSION MONDAY AT 6 AND AGAIN TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT 4:45. IT IS ANTICIPATED THEY WILL VOTE ON KEEPING THE RATE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.

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