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City of Statham to Collect Back Taxes from Local Business, Delay Purchase of New Police Cars

A recap of the Statham City Council meeting on April 19.

Posted Wed, Apr 20, 2011 at 3:32 pm ET|Updated Wed, Apr 20, 2011 at 3:36 pm ET

Who met: Statham City Council
Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Location:
Who was present: Council Members Joe Hayes, David Huth, Betty Lyle, Gayle Steed, and Hattie Thrasher; Mayor Robert Bridges; City Attorney Thomas Mitchell; City Clerk Susan Gabriel; Chief of Police Steve Martin
Top agenda items:

The council unanimously approved City Attorney Thomas Mitchell to begin the process of collecting back taxes and business fees from , located at 512 Commercial Drive. The business has a balance of $1,452.39. After filing papers with the court declaring that the business has no executable property, garnishment will begin, and during this process the business cannot legally charge for any services or products.
The council approved a beer and wine license for the On the Go Texaco on Atlanta Highway. A public hearing was held prior to the meeting, and no opposition was presented. A background check showed no criminal history.
The council decided to wait until the beginning of next year to purchase new police vehicles. Chief Steve Martin had presented a plan to purchase three cars with deferred payments, so that no funds would come from this year’s budget. Of the six vehicles the city owns, two need expensive repairs. Three cars have more than or are approaching 100,000 miles. The department has not purchased any new vehicles since 2007.
The council passed a new hotel/motel ordinance which will impose a 7 percent tax on occupants. A portion of this tax must go to promote town tourism, and part of this money will be earmarked for the town’s theater.