Agreement on Capital Improvement Plan.

The Budget/Ways and Means Committee agreed Monday evening to recommend a five year capital improvement plan that would include reducing the City reserves from 33% of operating revenue to 20%. After several weeks of cutting the proposed capital improvement expenditures, the plan as recommended by the Committee will still fall approximately $2 million short if projected revenues materialize.

A portion of the revenue projected is the successful completion of the sale of Myers Park property now being negotiated, and another similar sale within the five year period. The projected revenue from these sales would total approximately $1.7 million.

City Administrator Tom Short told the Committee that there is no cash crisis at this time. The current level of services can be sustained without extraordinary income, but the funding of capital improvements may be in jeopardy if additional revenues are not secured. The Committee discussed the possibility of returning the City property tax assessment to ninety-five cents. The increase of ten cents would net about $60,000 per year. The Council has held the tax to eighty-five cents for the last two years, but can legally return it to the previous ninety-five cent level without a vote of the people.

The reinstatement of the so called "user tax," sales tax on items purchased out of state, typically by mail order, is also being discussed as a major source of funds. The City saw nearly $300,000 in revenue per year before the tax was halted.

Another possible revenue producer is a quarter cent City sales tax to support the Park Department. This would produce approximately $300,000 per year. Council member Mike Harris thinks this might be acceptable to the citizens if the current property tax levy for the parks was eliminated. The logic is that many people outside the City limits use the parks, but only property owners currently support the system. The sales tax would spread the burden to a broader base of taxpayers and be more equitable. The current levy produces about $150,000 per year.

Short emphasized the plan was flexible and could be adjusted at anytime if circumstances demand.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Just ta keep the balance, the Budget/Ways and Means Committee also discussed ways ta keep spendin’ down last Monday night. One of the ideas bein’ tossed around for a while is a centralized maintenance facility to take care of the Police, Fire, Street, and Park Departments’ equipment.

One possibility is ta use a portion of the existing Fire Station. The thinkin’ is that after the South Sub Station is completed, there will be some empty space at the main station. Also, a good chunk a money is bein’ proposed to be spent on a Park maintenance buildin’. From what was said at the meetin’, the Department Heads haven’t been real excited about sharin’ their maintenance crews and equipment without knowin’ more details. Other options to save money may be easier to implement.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Healing Touch Massage Therapy Clinic

Massage Therapy News.

by Debra J. Pugh LPN, CMT

Now that Spring has sprung, people will be spending more time outdoors, doing yard work, getting more exercise, and generally over doing it. Does this sound like you?

Massage therapy is great to ease the aches and pains from over used and abused muscles. It can also increase the range of motion in constricted muscles. Regular massage treatments can help you enjoy life more by relaxing those tight and sore muscles.

If these sore and tight muscles are left unattended, they can become habitual and hamper the quality of your everyday life. Massage therapy stretches and loosens tight muscles, preventing further adhesions, and freeing your range of movement, so you can enjoy everyday to its fullest. There are many types of massage, and many massage therapists to choose from. When choosing a massage practitioner consider the following.

• Qualified training, you wouldn't go to another health care provider unless they were properly trained would you?

• Experience

• Membership in a massage/bodywork association, shows pride and dedication to their profession.

• Hours available, are they flexible and available when you need them?

• Services offered, office visits, home visits, corporate massage, gift certificates.

• Location, are they easy to get to, convenient parking?

• Personality, you will be spending time with them, can you relax and enjoy your massage in their presence?

Whomever you choose for your therapist, please remember to be consistent with your visits. Massage therapy has a cumulative effect on your body, the more regular you are, the better results you will have.

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