Council drops gambling tax in Quincy

Public works director receives funding for equipment, maintenance

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council on Tuesday repealed taxes on amusement and gambling and opted to maintain a tax on admissions, following talks with bar and club owners impacted by the 1951 ordinance's enforcement.

During the last council meeting, City Administrator Tim Snead updated the council on the general government and finance committee's meeting with business owners and introduced the proposed ordinance.

On Tuesday, the council approved the ordinance, eliminating the amusement and gambling taxes. The city amended the admissions tax section and kept it in the city's municipal code.

Councilman Jim Hemberry expressed concern about wording used to describe admissions tax collection procedures, calling it confusing. The other councilmen reviewed the new ordinance and did not speak against it.

In other business, the council approved funding for equipment upgrades and two maintenance projects led by public works director Lorin Lowry.

The council agreed to pay Enviro Clean Equipment and Supplies $18,287 for an industrial grade DVD player and recorder, a laptop computer and overlay system to work with Pipe Works Pro software. The equipment upgrades components of the city's sewer TV van.

The new equipment allows city crews to record and store sewer inspection and pipe profile information.

Councilman Tony Gonzalez asked Lowry how long the equipment would be in service.

Lowry said with proper training and maintenance, the city may use the equipment for 20 years.

Councilman Scott Lybbert said information recorded and stored by the new equipment would be digital, suggesting it would remain useful despite technology upgrades.

For the first project, Lowry requested the city perform a leak detection investigation of approximately one-fourth to one-third of its water system and purchase equipment for use during the survey. The city council approved $4,738 for the water line survey and $3,299 for new leak detection equipment.

In a separate project, the public utilities and enterprises committee and city staff recommended proceeding with a $15,050 inspection, cleaning and repair project on four water tanks. Liquivision Technology Diving Services is contracted to complete the work.