New Bloomfield sets tax rate

The New Bloomfield Board of Aldermen met Monday.
The New Bloomfield Board of Aldermen met Monday.

NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - The New Bloomfield Board of Aldermen approved the city's 2020 tax rate Monday.

The total tax levy is $1.2203 per $100 of assessed valuation - this includes a levy of $0.3003 per $100 for maintaining the general revenue fund and $0.9200 per $100 for retiring the city's general obligation bonds.

That represents the maximum possible levy for the general revenue fund and half the possible levy for the general obligation bonds.

"The law states very clearly that you can collect in the first year a bond - you can actually collect the first year's payment and the second year's payment in totality in one year," board member Rosemary Augustine said. "Personally, I think that's expecting too much because the only way that money can be used is to service that debt."

Because of this, the board decided not to approve the highest possible debt service levy.

"Basically, we would be asking people to pay ahead, and I see no reason to do that," Mayor Terry Shaw said.

Board members Augustine, Dan Kliethermes and Michael Lowe Sr. voted in favor, and Gary Hoelscher voted against.

Augustine also mentioned New Bloomfield might consider raising the city sales tax at some point in the future.

The board also voted unanimously to allow the mayor to enter into a contract to repair a maintenance shed roof.