By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
PINSON – A new revenue clerk position was established during a meeting of the Pinson City Council on Thursday, Feb. 2, where they also approved a request from Pinson Elementary School to help offset the costs of missed lunch fees.
Mayor Joe Cochran at the Pinson Council meeting on Feb. 2, 2023. (Photo by Nathan Prewett)
Duties of the revenue clerk will include classifying and issuing business licenses, as well as maintaining licenses and tax accounts, reviewing and verifying all collections, posting all money received to their proper account, and providing assistance and instructions to the public.
Minimum qualifications require a high school diploma or GED, two years experience in municipal tax license administration and certified municipal revenue officer designation. It is a full-time position that will pay $17.25-$22.50.
Mayor Joe Cochran said that the position became necessary with the growth of the city.
“We have grown quite a bit in the last year and a half,” he said. “And that is by design. But oftentimes, when you grow you don’t realize what the impact is until you’re in the middle of it.”
More information and an application will be posted to the city’s website at www.thecityofpinson.com.
Later the council approved a request from Pinson Elementary School to help with outstanding lunch fees.
“They don’t turn kids away when they don’t have money for lunch and sometimes that builds up,” said Councilman Brad Walker, who added that some of the community churches may have contributed money, but motioned for the council to cover the costs if they are still outstanding.
The school asked for approximately $1,141.44. The council readily approved the request using funds from the discretionary portion of the budget.
“And I will say this: I know that there’s a lot of kids that can’t help their circumstances,” Cochran said. “It’s not their fault that they can’t afford lunch and I hate to see any kid turned away. And I would tell all the principals at all four of our schools: if that becomes a situation for a child, let me know personally. I will personally take care of it. Don’t let a kid be embarrassed at school.”
The request from Pinson Elementary noted that they now qualify for giving free lunches and so will not accumulate any debt.
After items on the agenda were passed, Councilwoman Glenda Kirkland asked Cochran if the Pinson Main Street program could use a city-owned vacant lot for events, to which Cochran replied that they could if they notify the council first.
She then asked if there has been more on potentially buying digital traffic signs. Cochran said that he has been looking into options and wants a sign that would be operated by solar power and displays what an oncoming vehicle’s speed currently is.
Lastly, Kirkland mentioned the four days allowed for Trade Days to take place at the lot and asked if this could be increased to six days, but Cochran said that this should not be done, saying that four was enough.
In other business, the council:
- Annexed a property on Ridgewood Drive,
- Approved a request by owners of a property on Leigh Lane from Jefferson County District R1 to City of Pinson District RM (Residential Medium),
- Approved travel, lodging and expenses for conference attendees during 2023 for council and staff,
- Adopted the Division “G” Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, and
- Approved expenses up to $25,0000 for furnishings and construction for the City Hall building.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.
