Council Says No To No-Smoking Ordinance; Fire Tax On April Ballot

Trenton voters will not decide whether or not to ban smoking in certain places within the city after members of the city council on Monday night failed to approve an ordinance which would have put the measure on the April 5 ballot.
The vote was 3-5 to place the issue before voters, with Allan Quilty, Kenneth Ewing and Chuck Elliott voting in favor while Mark Moore, Larry Porter, Travis Elbert, Larry Huffstutter and Jennifer Hottes voted no. Elbert and Huffstutter both voiced their concern about the city regulating what they termed the “rights of a business owner” to allow smoking if they so choose, a concern also echoed by Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue, who also said he was opposed due to the unknown cost of putting the measure on the ballot as well as enforcement of the regulations, if approved.
The council did, however, agree to place a one-fourth percent sales tax on the April ballot, with funds to be used for fire operations, including equipment, training and possible construction of a building in which the training can be held. It was noted that a similar tax was put to voters four years ago and was defeated by just seven votes. Fire Chief Rick Morris said if a new facility is constructed, it would be located behind the current emergency services building on land the city recently acquired through a trade of property with Terry and Tara Walker. Morris said the city has an opportunity to provide fire training to departments throughout north Missouri and that the tax would help provide that training as well as needed training equipment. The money could also be used to replace existing equipment as it wears out. Morris estimated the tax would generate around $175,000 per year.
The council would have to consider an ordinance at its meeting on Jan. 25 to officially put the measure on the ballot. All ballot issues for April have to be certified with the county clerk’s office no later than Jan. 26.
Additional information from Monday night’s city council meeting will appear in Tuesday’s Republican-Times and will also be updated on the website on Tuesday.