Mayor Weathers supports increasing taxes

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Mayor Sonny Weathers said Monday, Nov. 1, that he supports a 1% tax increase.

Deputy Mayor Veronica Messing agreed with him.

Weathers’ support of a tax increase came at 5:57 p.m, Monday, during the first public hearing regarding Ordinance C-974, which would set the regular property tax levy.

Weathers said he supports the tax increase because the city only collects 28 cents from every tax dollar and that the cost of city services increased by 5.5 percent in 2020.

After evaluating his personal property taxes, the mayor said he and the residents of Airway Heights get a “great deal” in terms of taxes.

While noting she’s heard about residents unhappy with tax increase discussions, Messing said the factors mentioned by Weathers are valid.

According to the Finance Department’s Stanley Schubert, such a hike would increase property tax revenues by more than $13,000.

Weathers called for questions and comments from the public multiple times, and hearing no feedback closed the public hearing at 6:06 p.m.

The mayor said there will be one more public hearing Nov. 15, allowing concerned residents to voice concerns and ask questions.

In other business during the meeting, City Manager Albert Tripp asked the council to consider approving a loan application for f $8.08 million from the state Department of Health Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program.

If approved, the money would be used to build and replace parts of the water system.

Tripp said the proposed loan will be on a 20-year repayment plan.

He also introduced the possibility of funding a therapeutic court system that could help people with certain low-level drug related offenses.

Tripp said that the individuals would have a chance to undergo therapy and mental health assistance and accessibility rather than face criminal charges.

The city manager also introduced rural homelessness to the council as a potential topic of interest because Tripp said he believes the issue might be progressing into Airway Heights.

Matthew O. Stephens can be reached at [email protected]