Council moves forward with mill levy increase

The Whitehall Town Council voted Monday to move forward with a 30 mill levy increase to generate funding for law enforcement and the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department.

This would be the first general fund mill levy increase in Whitehall since the early 1970s and would only affect residents in town limits.

According to Town Clerk/Treasurer Summer Fellows, the Public Safety Mill Levy would be an increase of $40.50 per year on a $100,000 home and $81.50 on a $200,000 home. She said the next step in the process is to submit a Resolution of Intent to Jefferson County Election Coordinator Bonnie Ramey. The vote for the levy increase would happen in November.

The increase would help the fire department with needed equipment and other necessities. The current law enforcement contract with Jefferson County is around $111,000. At a meeting in May, Fellows and Council President Roy McBride said the cost of the contract could go up in the future.

In other business, Public Works Director Kory Klapan said chip sealing in town would start Thursday morning and residents need to move their cars off First Street, Division, and North Main. He added the company will be in town two to three days.

Klapan told the governing body he thinks workers are doing a good job with the MDOT Whitehall ADA Sidewalk Project and he thinks they should be done the middle of next week at the latest.

Town Clerk/Treasurer Summer Fellows thanked all those who have donated to the Town Pool and said they have raised nearly $11,000. Fellows added they have been personally recognizing each donor on Facebook.