City gets approval on ballot language
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Saying there was "no problems with it," Jasper City Manager Alan Grindstaff informed Jasper's city council that the State Comptroller's office has given its blessing on the language for the sales and use tax for street repair ballot.

"This is strictly out of the state's code," Grindstaff said.

Council approved the measure 4-1 with councilman Randy Sayers casting the only no vote on the issue. Jasper Mayor David Barber was absent for the meeting.

The new ordinance that will be listed on the May ballot now reads:

"The local sales and use tax within the city of Jasper that is onehalf (1/2) of one percent for economic development be reduced to one quarter (1/4) of one percent, and the adoption of local sales and use tax in the city of Jasper at the rate of one quarter (1/4) of one percent to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets."

According to information provided to council members but not included in media packets included an e-mail from Whitney Blanton of the Texas Comptroller's office, Kevin Dutton, Jasper city attorney, who reviewed and approved the amended measure and a letter from Neil Thomas, the bond attorney, who had reviewed and approved the amended ordinance.

Council's approval of the ballot language comes on the heels of Tuesday's Jasper Economic Development Corporation meeting in which board members appeared to be wavering on the issue. JEDCO board member Gloria Monzingo made a motion during the meeting to recommend the passage of the referendum to Jasper's city council. The motion died due to a lack of a second to the motion.

JEDCO board members talked about the issue but no motion was made against the measure.

In other council action, Jasper approved a demolition order from code enforcement officer Stephen Williamson to demolish property located at 202 Hale Street. Williamson told council that all lawful measures had been exhausted to have the property owners bring the property into compliance with state and local codes.

Council also approved a joint election between the city and county by including the liquor option election on the city of Jasper election ballot. This would allow the county to count the votes from the city's general and special election.

Council took no action on an ordinance that would prohibit skateboards and similar devices on city sidewalks.