Exercise 6.2

On Monday, City council agreed to impose a one-cent sales tax in order to prevent having to lay off workers next year.

This sales tax, proposed by councilwoman Wilma Rudolph, will raise about $400,000 for the city as well as prevent layoffs. City treasurer Joe Black went on to explain that the tax will cost the average family living in the city about $75 a year. The tax could also potentially raise enough funds for the city to expand on services such as more frequent garbage pickups.

Mayor Sadecki sided against the tax, stating that he feels the people are being taxed too heavily as it is and would rather look into ways that the city could spend less. However, a majority of the council disagreed with the mayor and sided with the tax 5–2.

The council also voted to license morticians in the city, having morticians pay an annual license fee. The bill was proposed by councilman Bill Mazeroski who explained that the fee would bring a considerable amount revenue for the city. The bill, which calls for a $150 annual fee per each mortuary, passed by a vote of 6–1.

During the meeting, city council also voted against rezoning the cemetery on Forbes Street. Local developer Carl Erskine requested to move the cemetery in order for him to build a new supermarket in its place. Erskine told the council that he would pay to have the graves relocated in Peaceful Rest Cemetery a mile away.

Erskine and Thompson explained that they felt the supermarket would be good for the neighborhood as well as unproblematic due to the traffic patterns. Members of the community however strongly disagreed and stated their opinions on the matter. After hearing the negative input of the community, the council voted 5–2 against the rezoning petition.