Published: May 07, 2008 11:10 am            

Rusk to make official its 4B economic development corporation status

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Voters approved it, now Rusk City Council is making official the city’s change from a 4A to a 4B economic development corporation.

Council members will take action on a resolution approving Articles of Incorporation and by-laws for the new 4B corporation during the May council meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. Thursday in Rusk City Hall.

Rusk voters approved the classification change in November 2007. City officials said the change will greatly expand the number of options the city has when it comes time to use its sales tax money.

The matter was raised during the April council meeting when legislators discussed appointing two new members to the Rusk Economic Development board. Rusk Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Goldsberry recommended at the meeting the city wait on approving the appointments until after the classification change becomes official.

“The last 4A sales tax distribution will be made in April,” Goldsberry said in April. “We can’t change until we get that final distribution.”

Council members tentatively approved a resolution appointing two new members to the Rusk Economic Development Corporation board at the April meeting. Those appointments will become official when the city’s EDC fully transfers to a 4B classification.

Mayor Angela Raiborn said with the new classification, the EDC board will need to add two members.

New members tentatively appointed to the EDC board are Austin Young and Ike Frazer. The five members of the 4A EDC board all agreed to continue service on the 4B board, Raiborn told council members. They are Todd Foxworth, Lewie Byers, Charles Hassell, Maxine Session and Bobby Tosh.

“I think we have a very well-rounded board,” Raiborn said in April.

Other items on Thursday’s agenda include:

• awarding a bid for the operation of the swimming pool;

• expending funds from the assets forfeiture account for equipment needed by the police department;

• expending funds from the Municipal Court Technology Fund for computer hardware and software updates;

• a contract for management services with Gary R. Traylor and Associates for a HOME Program; and

• a presentation from Chamber President Teresa Langley regarding the formation of a Keep Rusk Beautiful Committee.

Rusk City Council will also retire into executive session during Thursday’s meeting to consult with the city attorney concerning contemplated litigation or settlement of a complaint from Joanne Hart regarding Golfcrest Drive.

The Rusk City Council meets at 5 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in the council chambers at Rusk City Hall, 219 S. Main St., Rusk. The public is welcome.

        

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