The White Sulphur Springs City Council began their scheduled monthly meeting on July 13 by opening the floor for public comments on a proposed change to the B&O Tax. The proposal would lower the threshold for the tax on businesses from 2 million to 1 million. Two different individuals representing businesses that would be subject to the increase (Gillespie’s Flowers and The Schoolhouse Hotel) spoke against the measure advising the increase would negatively impact their businesses as well as others.
Council members discussed concerns related to the collection of the tax as well as the implementation of the proposed hike. After a productive discussion, no motion was put forth which resulted in the measure dying.
The Council approved a rate hike for both residential and commercial trash service. Prior to approving the rate increase, the council’s discussion revealed the city’s trash collection service is operating at a loss. The rate hike for monthly residential service will increase to $22.50, The rate hike for monthly commercial service (without a dumpster) will increase to $35, while the rates for commercial dumpsters will increase to $35 per pickup/per dumpster.
In other business, the Council appointed J.R. Byer, Jr. to the position of Zoning Officer.
