Floyd County to discuss new tax

Discussion

June 14, 2012

Floyd County to discuss new tax

Parks head wants county to match city

By CHRIS MORRIS chris.morris@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Thu Jun 14, 2012, 07:01 AM EDT

NEW ALBANY — How to fund the New Albany-Floyd County Parks Department is still being debated as the Floyd County Council prepares to set budgets for 2013.

At 5:15 p.m. Tuesday the Floyd County Commissioners and some members of the Floyd County Council will meet with parks officials to discuss the pros and cons of a cumulative capital fund.

City taxpayers have paid a cumulative capital fee since 1992 for the parks department, and it generates about $125,000 a year, according to Roger Jeffers, parks director. He said at Tuesday night’s Floyd County Council meeting if county officials pass the tax, it would put residents in both the city and county on “equal footing.” He also said an extra $250,000 a year would give the parks department more leverage to borrow money to build a new pool.

However, the measure would have to be approved by Aug. 1 and a public hearing would have to be held prior to a final vote. Tuesday’s meeting is for discussion only. Money from cumulative capital is for facility upgrades.

Greenville marshal gets money

The Floyd County Council agreed to give Greenville Town Marshal David Moore $4,000 for equipment upgrades including new a bullet proof vest, mace and side firearm.

“That should get me through the year,” Moore said. “This money will be spent in the next two months.”

He said there was not enough money in Greenville’s budget to handle the request. The money will come out of the riverboat fund.

Council hears about Greenway progress

Shaunna Graf with the Ohio River Greenway Commission gave a short presentation about the status of the project, which will link New Albany, Clarksville and Jeffersonville. Work continues on the 7.5-mile path, including the construction of a walking path on the Big Four Bridge in Jeffersonville which will be part of the Greenway. Graf said 2013 will be a big year for the Greenway when the Big Four work and a section in New Albany will be finished.

Council sets aside money for death penalty trial

The council agreed to create a new line item with $100,000 for the upcoming death penalty trial against William Clyde Gibson III later this year. Council members also appropriated $15,000 for an assistant public defender to help cover the caseload.

“Myself and another public defender will be defending the case,” said Floyd County Public Defender Pat Biggs. “In order to get reimbursement [from the state], we can carry no more than 20 felony cases each. When you take two out of the picture, you have to have someone fill in.”

Gibson is charged with three counts of murder for separate crimes.