Wednesday, February 20, 2002
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Wednesday, February 20, 2002 |
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Secret tax talks a failure, F'ville files to withdraw from mediation By MONROE ROARK
Fayetteville officials have filed for voluntary dismissal "without prejudice" of the city's petition for mediation concerning the tax equity debate between Fayette County and its cities. The city "believed when it joined in the tax equity process that there existed substantial tax inequity in favor of Fayette County, supported by city taxpayers," Mayor Kenneth Steele said Monday. "Unfortunately, after two and one-half months of unavailing court-ordered mediation ... those substantial tax inequities still exist." Steele commented that the parties have conducted mediation for some two and one-half months, during which county and Fayetteville officials met face-to-face only once. The negotiations were conducted secretly, per a judge's order. "After a sincere effort to reach agreement, the mediation process has failed," he said. "The city of Fayetteville is no longer interested in continuing the process or resorting to further potentially divisive litigation even though the Georgia Legislature contemplated that the Superior Courts would be the final arbiter of these tax inequity issues." Bringing another controversial city-county debate to a close, the Fayetteville City Council also approved a jail inmate agreement with the county under which Fayetteville will initially pay $43.70 per day to have inmates housed at the county jail. This is the same agreement approved last week by Peachtree City. Although the agreement was approved, it "fails to recognize the Fayetteville taxpayer's substantial contribution to the county's budget," Steele said, adding that the geographic location of a law breaker's apprehension, whether within a city or the unincorporated county, "has no rational bearing on which taxpayers should be responsible for the cost of the resulting incarceration. That cost should be borne equally by every citizen in Fayette County because every citizen in Fayette County benefits equally." The City Council met for a special called meeting Monday night, which began with an executive session to discuss litigation. After the regular session was convened again, Councilman Bill Talley moved to authorize the mayor to sign the jail agreement, and that motion was seconded by Al Hovey-King. The jail agreement vote passed 3-2, with Talley, Hovey-King and Glenn Brewer in favor. Larry Dell and Walt White voted against the motion. A motion for dismissal of the mediation was made by Hovey-King and seconded by Brewer. It also passed 3-2, with Hovey-King, Brewer and White in favor. Dell and Talley voted against it. Those were the only items on Monday night's agenda. The council's regular meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
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