LOGAN, WV. – People who are behind in their taxes owed to the City of Logan may find themselves listed in legal ads in this newspaper in the near future.
That was one of several topics of discussion at the Jan. 17 meeting of the Logan City Council.
The council approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would authorize town hall to take out legal ads publishing the names of businesses or individuals who owe the city business and occupation taxes.
A second reading will be held next month during the regular council meeting, which will also act as an opportunity to recieve public comments on the proposal.
“Chapmanville had their third and final reading recently for the same type of proposal,” Mayor Serafino Nolletti said at the beginning of a lengthy council meeting. City Accountant Jeff Valet confirmed that, noting that the Chapmanville ordinance also covers businesses and individuals who are behind in city service fees for fire or garbage services.
“This is the first step in adopting our ordinance,” Mayor Nolletti said. “If it passes people who are delinquent for one year or more on their taxes will be notified that they have three months to get paid up and current on their bills. Otherwise they will have their names published in a legal ad in the newspaper.”
The mayor noted that the matter had been discussed for several months as it is a common topic at different municipalities across the county. Basil Ken Lee said that he had thought the city had adopted a similar ordinance a few years ago to adress people who owed money on their city service fees.
“We will have our public hearing on the matter at next month’s meeting,” the mayor said.
The Logan City Council usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is invited to attend.
Logan Fire Inspector Chris Hatfield said the Logan Fire Department handled 956 calls in the year 2016, with 102 calls in December. Five of those calls were for structure fires. Hatfield said a joint inspection of the recent Oddfellows Hall/Mi Pueblito restaurant fire will be taking place in February when different representatives of insurance companies and appliance representatives are able to get together. Hatfield told The Logan Banner that the business had been very successful and that many people have expressed hope that it can return to business in the downtown area.
Logan Fire Chief Scotty Beckett and Police Chief E.K. Harper were not present Tuesday night as they had gone to Nashville, Tennessee in order to pick up a Mobile Command vehicle. Longtime firefighter Mike Beckett said the $350,000 government surplus vehicle is very impressive and features a conference room, radar, sonar and other devices and it could come in handy during disasters or times of crisis.
By J.D. Charles
Freelance Writer
J.D. Charles is a freelance writer for Civitas Media and a former reporter for the Logan Banner.