The Wilmore City Council remains divided on the prospect of raising property taxes.
The ongoing discussion was the main focus of Monday night’s meeting, with councilmen Lynn Cooper and Jeff James continuing their resolve to not raise property taxes and find another solution to the city’s budget problems.
The 2012-2013 fiscal year budget that was passed earlier this year details a 4-percent property-tax increase.
Without that increase, the city must either find a compensating revenue stream, or find a department or service to cut from the already thin budget.
Originally, the council had planned for an extensive work session to discuss all the different options and thoughts on the budget, but it was canceled.
Due to the Labor Day holiday, the council did not meet last Monday, delaying talks even further as the deadline for a tax ordinance approaches.
Councilman Jim Brumfield said he is not confident that they can find a comparable revenue stream or a place to cut from that would make the increase in the city’s tax rates unnecessary.
Cooper made a motion to the council for an ordinance stating that the tax rates remain the same — stating that the Jessamine County Fiscal Court and the board of education were all able to maintain the previous year’s tax rates.
James seconded the motion, which opened it up for discussion.
Brumfield said without cutting services to the public he did not see a way to pay for it.
Councilwomen Kim Deyer asked that they continue the discussion when council Jeff Baier, who was absent, returned for the following meeting.
Brumfield agreed and stated the council can use the next regular meeting Monday as a work session to discuss the tax rates with everyone present.
Cooper and James withdrew their motion, and no action was taken.
The council also tabled two other major discussions in the absence of Baier.
Mayor Harold Rainwater said that Baier had comments he wanted to make concerning the acquisition of the Crouse Cemetery. Rainwater asked that they discuss that at the next meeting.
The last issue put on hold for the next meeting was the ordinance to deal with tall grass in Wilmore.
City attorney Bobby Gullette submitted an ordinance similar to the city of Nicholasville’s to the council last month on dealing with “nuisances” such as high grass, dangerous areas and littering.
The council has yet to discuss the ordinance and make any changes that would suit Wilmore.
