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Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

State Rep. Rick Nelson was in Evarts on Monday to deliver a $50,000 special projects coal severance check to the city.

Mayor Eddie Manning accepted the check for the city prior to a special called meeting of council.

According to Manning, the money can be used only for certain purposes.

“We’ve talked about a roof for city hall — some work on the police cruisers — we’ve talked about a roof for the water plant,” said Manning. “We’re looking at things that we know we’ve got coming up. If we don’t, the coal severance isn’t going to be there. We’re looking at things we know we’re going to need in the next few years.”

Manning said some of the money may be used to pay off the city’s portion of a fire truck. The city is partnered with the fire department on the purchase of the truck.

Manning noted he hopes some of the money can be used for the benefit of local children.

“I would really like to have just a little bit of that to put some new playground equipment in,” said Manning. “I’d like to put a soccer goal, a volleyball net and a tether ball at Dartmont Park… just spruce our parks up a little bit.”

Nelson noted, if circumstances allow, there may be money available for other projects as well.

“There’s even some start up money for a boy’s and girl’s club. We didn’t mention that,” said Nelson. “Coal severance money is down, we have to see how everything’s rated, so there’s several other things that could be in there that would really help.”

After the presentation was completed, the council held a special called meeting to deal with the property tax ordinance for the upcoming year.

The council approved the second reading setting the tax rate at .407 percent per $100 of assessed value for real property. An identical .407 percent rate will apply to personal property.

The ordinance sets the due date for all taxes on Jan. 31, 2013.

According to the ordinance, this tax rate applies to the 2012 calendar year and all receipts will be used for city purposes and accounted for in the 2013 fiscal year.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-5734510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com