Fayetteville sales tax was up .09 percent compared to budget for the month of April, said Don Marr, the mayor’s chief of staff. This was the first month since Mayor Lioneld Jordan took office in January 2009 that the city took in positive sales tax numbers.
Though Fayetteville recorded an improvement, the Washington County sales tax for April was down 1.5 percent.
A couple of months ago, Jordan presented a plan that cut the city’s yearly operating budget by $976,000, which included potential furlough days, leaving vacant positions unfilled and trimming expenses across departments.
With the new sales tax report, the city is expecting a revenue shortfall between $830,000 and $850,000 for the year, so the mayor’s plan “will get us through the year,” Marr said at the city council’s agenda session Tuesday night.
Also, a decision to allow signs in Fayetteville parks that recognize donors could be put off until the July 20 council meeting. Ward 1 Alderman Brenda Theil said she strongly supported the measure but would not be present at next week’s meeting to cast a vote, so she asked the council to hold the item.
At the agenda meeting, Alderman Sarah Lewis echoed her concerns that allowing corporate donors to put their logos on park signs could be a slippery slope leading to commercializing public spaces.
People have given money to build parks without this ordinance, “and I think they will continue to donate,” Lewis added.
Mary Robbins is a regular contributor for the Fayetteville Flyer. She declared Fayetteville as her hometown upon moving here for college. She is a Journalism graduate who enjoys live music, the outdoors and attending city council meetings. For more of Mary’s contributions, visit her author page.
