Holly Trustees Discuss Sales Tax Increase, Zoning Study

The Holly Town Board of Trustees outlined a scope of study regarding zoning regulation updates for Holly as well as a review for possibly raising the city sales tax. Clerk Mary Rushton said that sales tax revenue for eleven months in 2011 amounted too $48,000. Town Administrator Marsha Willhite said a one cent increase would generate an additional $56,000 for the city on average and additional discussion covered the differences between tax structures for home rule cities or cities operating under a charter. Willhite noted that any sales tax is also paid by those living outside the city limits, or those persons just passing through town. She added that Holly citizens are paying a city sales tax of 3.25% on purchases made in Lamar when they shop there. Rushton explained to the Trustees that an increase would be a ballot issue for Holly voters requiring an intergovernmental agreement for a combined election with Prowers County for placing the question on the ballot, and a specific timeline must be followed as set forth by the State Secretary’s office for the ballot question. Willhite added that the Trustees should begin discussions on a potential increase within the next few months so as to be prepared for public discussions on the matter by July.

The Trustees voted to continue the same positions for board members for 2012 as in the previous year during their regular monthly meeting, Wednesday, January 4. This included retaining Kim Verhoeff as Municipal Judge, Darla Scranton-Specht as Town Attorney and Marsha Willhite as Town Administrator. It was noted by Town Clerk Mary Rushton that voting will be held for the position of mayor and three term limited Trustees in April. They are Viola Melcher as Mayor and Trustees Crossland, Rushton and Vasquez. Nominating petitions can begin to be circulated by February 13, 2012.

The board voted to approve an abatement for a portion of Pine Street in Holly which is located in the rear of Josh Reinert’s property, if he is willing to finance the cost of a survey needed for re-plating that section of land. That section of street in his backyard will be absorbed as a portion of his property. The alteration will not affect his neighbors to his west and it is of no interest to his neighbor residing north of the sidewalk for the property in question. Administrator Willhite said she will inform Reinert of the Board’s decision.

The board approved the purchase of a 1000kva padmount transformer which will be used for the Holly school renovation project. The cost is $22,855 and delivery will be made within 9 to 11 weeks, meeting the timetable for the punchlist for the initial stages of the project. Work began this week on the sports fields at the school. The board passed a resolution, 2011-3, authorizing rate adjustments to all classifications of the landfill and garbage department which supersedes the 2010-1 Resolution. Because of a holiday conflict, the July 4, 2012 board meeting was set back to July 11. The Lamar Ledger and Holly Shopper will continue to be used to publicize Town Public Notices and the Post Office, Holly Town Office and First Bank & Trust will remain sites for public postings. Agnes Harper was re-appointed to the Holly Library Board. The board reviewed proposals for changes for town employee’s sick leave and paid time off. Any approved changes should come in 2013. Administrator Willhite read for the Trustees, a notice of bereavement, which will be sent to the family of former Trustee Miles Vana who recently passed away. The next town board meeting will be held Wednesday, February 1.

By Russ Baldwin