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PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD SAVE PINE BLUFF FUNDING

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, November 14, 2009 12:01 AM CST

The city of Pine Bluff’s inspection and zoning department could see savings in the 2010 budget year.

Robert Tucker, department director, asked council members to support a proposed ordinance that will allow the city to collect a state-mandated fee.

The department pays 50 cents per $1,000 of non-residential construction.

It’s a tax, Tucker said, the city should collect from builders and pay the state.

“It’s a big hit that we’re taking financially that we don’t have to take,” Tucker said.

“It will put us back into a revenue neutral state.”

Named “permit tax,” the line item is expected at $4,300 in the first draft of the 2010 budget.

Formerly under the operating supplies line item in the inspection department’s budget, the change could have an impact.

Operating supplies for 2008 were budgeted at $8,000 but actual expenses for the item amounted to $16,503, according to the 2010 drafted budget.

The measure allowing the inspection department to collect the permit tax will be heard at Monday’s Pine Bluff City Council meeting.

Though the benefit to the city might be sizable, 4th Ward Alderman Janice Roberts said she wanted to make sure the fee wouldn’t hinder any businesses attempting to build inside the city limits.

“It’s capped at $1,000 per project,” Tucker said.

He added that the cost would help keep departmental expenditures low.

“We were charged with finding every savings,” Tucker said.

He said the city will pay $300 in permit taxes for the month of October, but can pay up to $2,000-$3,000 some months.

Aldermen at a Thursday meeting voted to recommend the proposed measure at the City Council meeting.

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