City of Jacksonville City Council met Sept. 27.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
Mayor Andy Ezard in the Council Chamber called the Special Session of the Jacksonville City Council to order at 12:00 p.m. The meeting was publicly announced by posting and by written notice to the local newspaper and radio stations.
ROLL CALL: The following answered present: Aldermen Brandon Adams, Mike Bartlett, Don Cook, Aaron Scott, Mike Wankel, Steve Warmowski, Eren Williams; Mayor Andy Ezard; City Attorney Dan Beard; City Clerk Skip Bradshaw. Absent from the meeting were Aldermen Jeff Hopkins, Jeff Lonergan, Lori Large Oldenettel. A quorum was declared.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
1. First Reading of Ordinance Imposing Municipal Cannabis Occupation Tax, with Emergency Clause. Motion was made by Cook, seconded by Adams, to accept the Emergency Clause.
ROLL CALL: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 3 Absent (Hopkins, Lonergan, Oldenettel)
Motion carried 7-0-3.
Motion was made by Williams, seconded by Adams, to accept the second reading of the ordinance. CA Beard read the ordinance as proposed.
2019-O-007 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that an Ordinance WITH EMERGENCY CLAUSE, AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE BY THE ADDITION OF CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2-333 IMPOSING A MUNICIPAL CANNABIS RETAILERS OCCUPATION TAX – (3% of the gross receipts), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Ald. Warmowski asked if a determination had been made as to how the tax revenue was to be used, and what the Council’s opinion was on a lower rate. The majority of the Council feels that 3% is ideal, and the use of revenue can be determined at a later date. Ald. Adams disagrees and feels 2.75% or lower would be ideal to help attract businesses to Jacksonville. Ald. Williams pointed out that surrounding communities voted in between 2.75% to 3% and feels we should be in line with them. CA Beard reminded the Council that due to the size of Jacksonville the city may only have one dispensary come to town, and that the ability to lower the rate always exists should the Council feel it necessary. The only drawback to lowering or raising the rate is the lag time between making the change and the time it goes into effect, sometimes taking up to 6 months. Ald. Adams feels the laws on cannabis should mirror the laws on alcohol, giving thought to the idea of incorporating a tax on the sale of alcohol. Brief discussion ensued.
Comments were made by a member of the public, Anthony Stephens, regarding his sentiments on the cannabis act and on implementing taxes. He feels the City should implement a tax and offered his opinion as to how to divide and use the revenue garnered from these taxes.
ROLL CALL: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 3 Absent (Hopkins, Lonergan, Oldenettel)
Motion carried 7-0-3.
PUBLIC COMMENT: See above comment by Anthony Stephens.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further discussion motion was made by Wankel, seconded by Bartlett, to adjourn at 12:14 p.m. to discuss Collective Bargaining.
http://cms6.revize.com/revize/jacksonvilleil/city_government/city_council/Agendas_Minutes/2019%20Minutes/Council%20Minutes%2009.27.19%20-%20Special%20Session.pdf
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