Manila City Council met for a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the bond issue to extend a sales tax and accept the resignation of Henry Ford, water/sewer superintendent.
Council members Wendell Poteet, Jason Baltimore, Dale Murphy, Donnie Wagner and Steven Milligan were present to share information with the public on the upcoming vote to extend a sales tax to finance projects throughout the city.
A public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Manila Airport/Community Center giving all citizens the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the proposed tax extension. The meeting will also allow voters to become familiar with the ballot, voting dates, time and place.
Early voting will begin Tuesday, Sept. 3, and go through the week with election day, Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Voting will take place in the lobby of the water park/swimming pool.
Council reviewed different projects for different departments the tax would fund, including street improvements; building repairs; fire department (rescue truck and new bays); water department, including new GPS meters; drainage improvements; police equipment; parks and recreation; street paving, and more.
"This is an opportunity to fund some much needed improvements without having to raise our utility rates," Baltimore said.
Mayor Wayne Wagner reviewed several of the project estimates which will benefit all citizens from children to senior citizens.
"We want the people to come out to the public meeting and know exactly what the extended tax money will be used for," Mayor Wagner said. "We want them to know what they are voting for."
Mayor Wagner pointed out each project the funding will be used for will be separated on the ballot and it is important to know if the refinancing of the bonds, the first item on the ballot, does not pass then the others will not matter.
It was said, if the tax extension passes or fails on Sept. 10, everyone will be paying the same amount the next day. It is not an increase in taxes, or a new tax, but a vote to extend the tax to help fund projects needed.
Money generated from the extension will allow the city to do major improvements in a short time frame that would otherwise take years to accomplish. The projects can also be done without an increase in the city utility rates.
One council member pointed out Manila has one of the lowest water rates in the state.
Council voted to accept the resignation of Henry Ford and approve the retirement package in the city's handbook.
Mayor Wagner and the Council expressed their appreciation to Mr. Ford for his over 20 years of service to the city and wished him well in his retirement.
"We have been fortunate to have Henry," Mayor Wagner said.
Friday will be his last day on the job.
The council then decided to change the regular meeting dates, starting in September, from the fourth Monday night to the third Monday night of each month, beginning at 5:30 p.m.