Daily Dunklin Democrat: Local News: Citizens will pay more than double for city stickers (06/16/10)

Mayor Roger Wheeler Sr.

For the first time in over 15 years, an increase in the cost of two local licenses was approved by the Kennett City Council during its meeting on Tuesday.

According to Mayor Roger Wheeler, Sr., the two increases are being made to yard sale permits and city licenses (city stickers). Wheeler said the yard sale permit will increase from $1 to $5, and the cost of city licenses will increase from $4.50 to $10, when the new licenses become available in November.

Wheeler said the yard sale permit was increased, "not to generate any revenue for the city," but to "cover the cost" of the workers who fill out and file the permits.

"The current yard sale permit costs $1," Wheeler said. "We are trying to cover our costs."

Wheeler said the current price of $1 does not cover the amount of time that it takes for the city employees to fill out the form, file the form, write a duplicate receipt, and other aspects of the permit.

"It takes time," Wheeler said.

As for the increase in city licenses, Wheeler said the city estimates that the increase will generate about $30,000 in revenue for the city. He added that the recently passed sales tax increase should generate about $100,000 in revenue between October 2010 and June 2011.

Also in the meeting, Wheeler said the council heard a presentation from Ivan Minks, of Rural Development, who gave some information about the availability of low interest loans, 502 Direct Home Loans, for people to purchase homes. Wheeler said the loans have minimal credit requirements.

"You don't have to have a 745 credit score to get these loans," Wheeler said.

Anyone wanting to apply for the loans can contact Minks at (573) 746-0906.

During the Department Reports portion of the meeting, Wheeler said Jan McElwrath, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said she has been in contact with a new prospect for the spec building. The potential business is planning a visit to see the building soon.

McElwrath also announced that Manac has invited the council members to come out on Wednesday, June 23, for a demonstration of the company's new production lines.

In the Street Department report, Randy Carter said the department is still working on the Eighth Street repair and hopes to have the new pavement poured by next week.

Wheeler said the new dog pound did not receive its final inspection last week, however, the inspector "should be here this week." He added that the dog pound is essentially complete, and as soon as the inspection is finalized, the city will begin moving the animals to the new facility.

Also during the meeting, the council recognized Robin and Keith Mitchell and Mitchell Drug Store for their contribution to the fireworks display, as well as Lowes Electric of Kennett.

In other matters, the council:

* Approved hosting a special meeting at 6:30 p.m., on June 29, to approve the 2010-2011 budget;

* Tabled any action regarding placing a dumpster at the compost site until a new fee schedule is worked up, and;

* Set the date for the public hearing for a rezoning request from Semo Health Network to July 6.

Dear Readers of the DDD:

Do I have this straight? The city council quintupled the cost of yard sale permits to cover the administrative cost of yard sale permits? Surely not. Why in the heck do we have to pay for the privilege of having a yard sale at all?

As far as more than doubling the cost of city stickers . . . the people we elected, whose salaries we pay, did that to us?

We, the residents of Kennett, must begin keeping up with what is going on with the mayor and the city council. If we don't, what else will they do to us?

Mayor Wheeler, what are you planning now?

Sincerely yours,

Leah Mobley

-- Posted by LeahM on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 5:32 PM

But Leah...these are not tax increases...just permit fee increases. It appears your local politicians have been observing how our politicians in Illinois operate.

-- Posted by KHS1975 on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 5:43 PM

Isnt it the JOB of the employees to wright up the yard sale permits??? Hey, sorry Im taking up of your precious time CITY EMPLOYEE.

-- Posted by gmdriver on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 6:54 PM

Well i have lived here for 8 years and have yet paid for a city sticker.I find it useless to pay for a sticker that keeps you from getting a ticket. Thats what the lady at the counter always says.If you going to raise taxes you sould at least tell the people what its for. They could start repairing some of the sidewalks so kids dont have to walk in the street to go to school.So, no firework show,higher taxes on the city sticker, higher taxes for a yard sale permit. WTF is a yard sale permit...lol.Never heard of such a thing... funny though. I have yard sales all the time , never knew i had to have one of these.I see why no major jobs come to kennett, because the taxes are so stupid.Its like "Sir.. do you have a permit to be havin'a yard sale".ha... funny this town cracks me up.Well, i'll be driving around stickerless and having illegal yard sales. Please dont put me in jail..

-- Posted by jty on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 6:58 PM

Part of the theory behind yard sale permits and limitations is that people shouldn't be allowed to make an unlicensed business out of yard sales or convert the neighborhood into a bric-a-brac shop. It costs money to administer the yard sale permit program, which doesn't benefit anyone but those who want to hold the sales.

And part of the theory behind city stickers is that the fee helps pay for some of the city services or costs attributable to car owners--such as traffic and parking enforcement, street repair, or (in bigger cities) added congestion.

I thought it was a right-wing position that people should pay for the special government services they use, rather than tax everyone to pay for their use by only some. Where's conservatism now? Oh, I forgot: Maybe it depends on whose ox is gored.

According to the article, this was the first time these fees went up in 15 years. How much has the cost of living gone up in that time? And if it makes anyone feel better, the cost of a city sticker in Chicago (where I now live) is $75.

-- Posted by wbkelley on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 9:30 PM

I guess my question would be why was there not a public hearing on raising the costs? I am sure people would have showed up to voice their opinion. Was these increases brought up at past meeting? And if they was, why was no one informed of the possible increases? Sounds to me the city is conducting business without informing the citizens.

I disagree with raising the rate on yard sale permits. Most people having yard sales are trying to make a little money selling things to make ends meet with the economy and all. The increase in city stickers I can understand to a point, but if people are not buying them what is the use. If the city wants to raise money with city stickers, they should enforce the law instead of raising the price.

-- Posted by Getting Old on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 11:15 AM

LOL to jty!!!!!

-- Posted by luvthegame on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 11:23 AM

have you learned that boss hogg dose what he wants and his bubbies helps . this is like that show the dukes of hazard , look around ,do you see good streets ,sidewalks . lets fix down town WHY ,there no job,s here to scared to let job,s come here , it just might have a drug troubles . no job,s DA ,were we live they try to chase you down and try to sell you crack or others drug ,you up everything , up and out the drugs here .worrie about there .if you did got the drugs out your jail would not hold them .

-- Posted by roxanne175 on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 1:59 PM