10:26 PM Rehobeth Town Council Meeting - Presentation Chairman Shoupe On Lodging Tax and Appointment To Southeast Health

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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Date: Sep 17 2024 10:23 PM

REHOBETH:    Tonight RSN attended the Rehobeth Town Council Meeting. The meeting started at 6:00 PM and last until 7:39 PM.

A presentation of the queens and Ambassadors for the Red, White and Boom on Labor Day. A very successful year which has been ongoing for 5 years. The first year it was at the hardware store at Highway 605 and Highway 109. Myself and D3 Ricky Herring were to be in the dunking booths side by side. D3 Herring was mad with me and refused to be side by side. After one and half hours I passed the torch to D3 Commissioner Herring.

Following my 1.5 hours in the dunking booth I was at the Chiropractor for six months - Dr. Hall. That ended my times in dunking booths.

After the successful year, even though it rained, the event was moved to the Rehobeth Town Hall area and school area. The event has been a huge success. And the young people involved, the Mayor and Council members did not have to go get people involved.

Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter recognized two Rehobeth Twon Council Members for their long tenure of service. Rehobeth Council Member Lisa Jones was presented a plaque for her 20 years on continued service on the Council. Council Member Jim Tyson was recognized for his 10 years of continued service.

Mayor Trotter and the fellow Rehobeth Council welcomed Councilman Bobby Clemmons back. Clemmons recently had a stroke which has left him partially paralyzed. But he fought and was present and counted for at tonight's meeting.

The Rehobeth Mayor and Town Council passed the budget for 2024 - 2025.

Tonight Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe was present for the meeting. Chairman Shoupe made a presentation of the proposed amendment to be voted on in the November general election. The amendment is asking for a one cent lodging tax. It will be only on the people staying in any motel or Air Bnb in Houston County, to include those in the City of Dothan.

The proceeds are earmked strictly for Economic Development and Youth and Adult Recreation. Chairman Shoupe showed a chart of the proposed allocation of the funds expected. Chairman Shoupe said if the registered voters across Houston County pass this legislation the Houston County Commission will take out a bond issue for $ 3 million dollars to be paid back over a ten year period. So the proposed funding will be available to the municipalities, which includes around $ 800,000.00 to the City of Dothan by February 2025.

CLICK FOR FACEBOOK VIDEO WHICH IS SHORTER

Most of the hotels are in the City of Dothan. Unless your spouse kicks you out of your house, the lodging tax is paid by those visiting Dothan and staying in the motels. Chairman Shoupe said he is attempting to talk to as many people as possible to explain this is not a TAX on the local people, unless you stay in a hotel.

Chairman Shoupe then presented the legislation passed that the citizens get to vote on in the November General Election concerning appointments made to the Southeast Health Hospital Board. Chairman Shoupe said since he began as a Houston County Commissioner of District 4 in year 2014, there has been problems with the appointment process.

The commissioners recently passed rules on appointments should the registered voters pass the legislation changing the appointment process. Shoupe explains the proposed process and the Chairman explained the current system.

The entire meeting in on you tube and posted here. Below the first video will be a second video from Facebook that focus on Chairman Shoupe and the recognition of Red - White and Boom Queens and Ambassadors.

HOUSTON COUNTY NEEDS REHOBETH MAYOR KIMBERLY TROTTER AS HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN. 

It was also announced on October 1 Rehobeth Rescue will begin servicing the Taylor area of Houston County. This area has been serviced by Joey Pilcher and the staff of Pilcher Ambulance. Todd Phillips of the Town of Rehobeth has been in discussion with Mr. Pilcher, Taylor Billy Snell and Town Council Members of Taylor and Rehobeth. All were in agreement with Rehobeth Rescue being full time, Rehobeth handling Taylor will make the response times better.

Todd Phillips left Dothan Fire Department as a Captain and went with Rehobeth Fire - Rescue and the Town of Rehobeth full time. Phillips handles a lot for the town and does a great job. And under Todd Phillips leadership he has done great things with his team in the Rehobeth Fire - Rescue.

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