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263 On motion by Mr. Cox, seconded by Msl Daugherty, 5/Ir. Curtis 5/Iorton (neighborhood), 5/Ir. Phil Morton (bank representative) and Mr. Bobby Banks (neighborhood) were unanimously appointed to the Ridge Street Neighborhood Task Force. The meeting was adjourned. President (_~ COUNCIL CHAMBER - March 3, 1997 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano. PUBLIC HEARING/CALL IN': REVERSION Ms. Katie Hobbs, President of the League of Women Voters, said that the League supports cooperation between the City and County, and urged the two governments to work together. A caller asked what would happen to the City Schools if the City reverted to town status. Ms. Daugherty said that it is not known what kind of transition there would be for the schools, but the Town and County would work together. Mr. Cox noted that under reversion the Town residents would be County residents. Ms. Richards said that the City now devotes more money per student to schools than does the County, and it is unknown what would happen to City School programs under reversion, and unknown if the County would be able to maintain those programs. Mr. Waldo Jaquith, 609 E. Market Street, asked if there are an5, laws that the City has established that could not be kept under reversion. Mr. Clyde Gouldman, City Attorney, replied that most ordinances in effect would continue, and while there may be isolated incidences where they would not continue, this could be cured by action of the General Assembly. Mr. Gouldman said he would need to investigate further to see if there are any County ordinances that would overlay to the town. A caller asked how a decision can be made about reversion if more is'not known about transition of the schools. Ms. Daugherty said the Council would need to talk with the County about what programs to keep, and some things could be done together that have not been done separately such as magnet schools. A caller asked what would happen to taxes under reversion. Mr. Toscano said no one knows for sure what would happen to taxes, but financial projections have indicated that the tax burden after reversion would not be greater than what City residents currently pay, with the possible exception of the personal property tax rate which is currently higher in the County. A caller asked why Council has not yet said yes or no to reversion. Ms. Richards said reversion would be a permanent change in the structure of local government, and many unresolved questions and issues remain. Ms. Richards said Council needs to know more before making a decision.