Council to hand deliver dun notices to merchants

The City of Lincolnton will be hand-delivering letters to approximately 47 merchants who have yet to pay their occupational taxes for 2007.

The decision to send the letters was made at the regular meeting of the mayor and council held Monday, July 9, at City Hall.

Due on January 1, unpaid occupational taxes were considered delinquent March 1. Moreover, four advertisements have appeared in The Lincoln Journal reminding local residents to pay their occupational taxes.

Officers with the Lincolnton Police Department will deliver the letters to merchants notifying them that they are delinquent in paying their taxes and that a 10-percent penalty has been assessed. Likewise, if the taxes have not been paid within 30 days, the cases will be brought before the council which will determine whether citations should be issued.

"We haven't had this big of a problem in the past," said Ginger Dawkins, zoning administrator and assistant clerk for the city. "Some merchants have been delinquent in paying their taxes three years in a row. We're seeing a lot of repeat offenders."

She went on to say that the notices are being hand-delivered so people "can't say they didn't know."

In other business, the council:

.. Heard the Water Department Report given by Superintendent Stanley Parton who noted that due to several soaking showers and people perhaps paying attention to the water restrictions, water production decreased from 16.41 mg (million gallons) in May to 13.94 mg in June.

He further indicated that electricians are still in the process of hooking up the two new generators at the James Allen Reed Water Treatment Plant.

The superintendent also informed those present that the roadside in front of Nancy Epps' house on N. Washington Street will remain "coned off for quite a while" until the ground dries out. City workers had to repair a broken water line at the site.

In other comments, Superintendent Parton said the water plant will take delivery of its new pickup truck in August or September.

.. Heard Councilman Dwain Moss express his appreciation to Superintendent Parton, Furman Parton, and Chris Guin for working outside Saturday night in the pouring rain.

"The city workers really earn their money," said Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff. "They are working when most of us are at the cafe or on the way to a ball game."

.. Heard the mayor introduce David Griffin as the city's new zoning administrator. Griffin will begin work full time after Labor Day.

"This is a sign that the city is growing as far as ordinances, regulations, and retail businesses are concerned," stated Biggerstaff. "I think hiring a full-time zoning administrator is progress."

.. Heard Mayor Biggerstaff read a note from Councilman Moss thanking the city for its many kindnesses following the death of his mother, Sara Moss.

"I would like to extend our condolences to Councilman Moss," said the mayor. "We will all miss Miss Sara."

.. Voted to grant a 90-day extension for rezoning to Lincoln Square, LLC, a new subdivision located on 123 acres off of the Augusta Highway. The development will feature 179 lots.

.. Heard Mayor Biggerstaff thank Glenn Clements of the Lincoln County Code Enforcement Office for assisting the city in conducting footing inspections on new construction. Roby Seymour (public works director for the county), who usually helps with the inspections, was on vacation.

"I want to thank Glenn Clements for stepping in and helping us," said the mayor. "It was a nice thing to do. I appreciate his willingness to help and hope we can return the favor."

.. Heard a report given by Mayor Biggerstaff, Councilman Moss, and Councilman Henry Brown on the annual GMA (Georgia Municipal Association) convention held recently in Savannah.

Both Mayor Biggerstaff and Barry Fleming, city attorney, were invited to make presentations at the event.

It was agreed that the convention was well-organized and the presentations were more geared toward towns the size of Lincolnton than they have been in the past.

According to Councilman Moss, "We came away with ideas of what other cities are doing that we should be doing."

"We also heard solutions to problems similar to the ones we have," said Councilman Brown.

In his remarks, Mayor Biggerstaff said, "It was an honor for us to be included among the presenters from Canton, Valdosta, and other fine cities."

.. Voted to table the vote on selecting a company to codify city ordinances.

.. Heard an update from Mayor Biggerstaff on the progress that has been made on the renovation project at the Lincolnton Clubhouse.

He stated that among other things, tile flooring has been installed in designated areas; the building has been re-roofed; and the storage room has been completed. Workers still have to install light fixtures, ceiling fans, and new window treatments.

"I think people will be amazed at how spacious the clubhouse will be," said Biggerstaff. "It will probably be able to seat from 70 to 75 people. Once the work has been completed, we will have a first-class facility."

The project is being funded by $30,000 in local development grants and $20,000 in matching funds from the city.

.. Discussed the purchase of new garbage carts for the city.

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.