Tuesday, August 21, 2007

News for Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The Macon City Council will take up a new ordinance when it meets tonight. The document bans the use of city funds for travel outside the United States to countries the U.S. Government deems uncooperative in combating terrorism. Mayor Jack Ellis angered residents and city leaders when he sent a letter to Venezuelan officials declaring solidarity. He also announced plans to visit Venezuela. City Council wants to prevent such a trip from taking place at city expense. The mayor plans to return to Macon on Monday, following trips to Africa and England.

Macon officials will have to dip into a savings account to keep the city afloat. The account was created last year in an attempt to avoid taking out a short term, tax anticipation note. For the last three years the city has borrowed millions of dollars to meet expenses, until property tax bills are sent out. Officials say the cash flow problem could be more severe than first thought.

In Jones County a property tax reevaluation is making things difficult for the Jones County Commission and School Board. The tax digest is being held up after nearly 2-thousand appeals were filed. The tax digest can n0t be set with that many appeals pending. The reevaluation was needed due to increases in property values in Jones County over the last five years.

The4 Warner Robins American Little League team plays tonight at six, at the Little League World Championships. Last nights scheduled game was postponed due to weather.

In today's weather we'll have partly cloudy skies with a high of 99 degrees.