Hillsboro gets $12,000 for renovation
Staff writer
A new $12,000 grant from the state will aid in a $461,500 renovation of the former Olde Towne Restaurant building at 126 N. Main St. in Hillsboro, city council members learned Thursday.
Although the building is not going to be used for housing, Mayor Lou Thurston said he hoped that his declaration Tuesday of June as Fair Housing Month would “promote fair housing practices throughout the city.”
During public comment, Gary Hilliard expressed concern about residents being charged $50 for not paying code enforcement bills on time.
“A late fee is really hard for people who can’t pay their bills,” he said. “We’re stacking fire on fire, instead of water on fire.”
Hilliard said the city should waive the fee for financially unstable people and instead make them do community service.
“I want to be a part of making this city peaceful for all people, regardless of financial status,” he said.
Hilliard even offered to pay late fees on behalf of the indigent, but city attorney Andrew Kovar said that the city would have to release residents’ utility information to Hilliard if he wanted to pay their bills and this would present privacy concerns.
Thurston nonetheless expressed interest in Hilliard’s idea, pointing out it would help with certain housing issues that the council has labeled a priority.
He told Hilliard the council would come back at the next meeting with potential ways to implement the idea.
“I have to say, that was refreshing,” Thurston said.
In other business, the council passed a resolution advocating for continued federal tax exemption on interest from municipal bonds.
Some federal officials have looked to dispose of the exemption, which could increase the interest rate the city must pay on its bond.
“We appreciate the desire of the federal government to make changes, but don’t touch this,” Stiles said.
Others agreed.
“I don’t know how long tax-exempt municipal bonds have been around, but it’s been a long time,” councilman Jeffrey Jorgenson said.
The resolution will be forwarded to federal officials and Congressmen.
“Hopefully other municipalities will do the same, and it can get some discussion going,” councilman Ronald Wilkins said.