HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinances Book 12, Page 787, No Resolution Number787
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A RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSING AND HOME FINANCE AGENCY'S APPROVAL OF SEWER
APPLICATION NO. 1 FILED BY THE CITY OF PADUCAH FOR A FRANT OF FUNDS IN THE SUN,
OF $1,327,781 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRANCH STORM SEWER AND NOBLE PARK STORM
RELIEF SEWER AND ADDITIONS THERETO, TOGETHER WITH PUMPING STATION ALTERATIONS.
WHEREAS, the City of Paducah has heretofore filed with the Housing and
Home Finance Agency and the Federal Security Agency, Public Health Service, its
Application No. 1 for a grant of funds in the sum of x;;1,327,781 for the con-
struction of a branch storm sewer and Noble Park Storm Relief Sewer and Additions
thereto, together with pumping station alterations; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Paducah has been advised that said
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application is being given consideration, but has not been approved for the
reason that the Agency has not been furnished with satisfactory information that
the City of Paducah cannot, by levying a tax against the owners of the property
benefitted by said sewer construction work, pay any part of the cost of said
sewer construction work, or pay a part thereof through other means;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COD-MISSIONERS That the
necessity for said sewer facilities is wholly the result of the impact of the
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defense activities for the reason that such facilities would not have been
jrequired at all if it had not been for the great increase in the population of
the City of Paducah since the beginning of the construction work at the Atomic
Energy Plant.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That by reason of the present levy of ad valorem
taxes at the maximum constitutional limit and the levy of school taxes at the
maximum rate (said school tax rate having been increased fifty cents on each one
hundred dollars of taxable property in the current year because of the great
number of children of defense workers who are attending the city schools, an
excessive burden and a great hardship would be placed upon the taxpayers of the
City if an attempt should be made to issue general obligation bonds to finance a
part of the cost of the aforesaid sewer improvements, and it would also be useless
to attempt to raise revenues in this manner for the reason that the electorate
would not favor the issuance of such bonds;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the levy of a tax against the owners of the prop-
erty benefitted by such sewer construction work would place upon them an additiona
tax burden for the reason that they have already borne the cost of the sewer
facilities now provided in said area through direct taxation, and which facilities
were entirely adequate for their needs until there was a tremendously increased
density in that area due solely to the defense impact, and to require them to pay
special assessments for the proposed sewer work would impose upon them the obliga-
tion of paying twice for the same services and .facilities;
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the cost of residential construction in the
City of Paducah is abnormally high and the income of prospective home purchasers
is limited, and to add an additional tax would increase the total monthly housing
expense to the point which, in many cases, would be beyond the ability of the
purchaser to bear.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the levy of a tax against the owners of the
property benefitted by such improvements would certainly be opposed by those
owners affected by such levy, as well as by most other citizens and taxpayers,
and it is anticipated that such measure would be opposed to the extent that if an
ordinance levying such tax should be introduced, a petition requiring the Board
of Commissioners to certify the question of the adoption of the ordinance to the
voters of the city would be filed;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That inasmuch as there is now pending before the
Board of Commissioners an application for the annexation of a considerable portior
of the territory adjacent to and on the southwesterly side of the present cor-
porate limits of the City of Paducah, and referred to as the "Wherry Housing Proj(
there is to be constructed in said addition approximately five hundred housing
units which will be served through a connection with the city sewer, necessary
relief will be afforded to that area as result of the construction of the Storn
Sewer under Application No. 1 and will thereby prevent all of the sewers in that
district from being overloaded;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That unless said grant is approved, the Mayor and
Board of Commissioners will not favor the annexation of any additional territory
to the present corporate limits of the city, for to add any additional territory
would only serve to cause greater suffering, hardship and inconvenience to the
people from the impact already caused by the defense activities;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the Housing and Home Finance Agency and the
Federal Security Agency be urged to approve the aforesaid grant and that said
agencies be advised that the City of Paducah must and will, of necessity,
abandon tie prpject entirely unless said grant is made.
Robert C. Cherry, Mayor
Passed by the Board of Commissioners May 27; 1952
Recorded by Sarah Thurman, City Clerk, May 27, 1952•
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