City Council Minutes 2022 07 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes July 19, 2022 Page 7 of 9 Martha Parks, Louisville, asked for help to rebuild and to ease the burden on homeowners. Frost Yarnell, Louisville, stated that people are rebuilding not building new homes so the use tax should be waived. There is no additional demand on services and infrastructure as they were already contributing to the City. Asked that pets that were lost during the fire be remembered during commemoration planning. Susan Loo, Louisville, favors a no strings attached rebate to homeowners. Mandy Mayfield, Louisville, stated it is a misconception that insurance will pay for everything. Over 90% of fire victims were underinsured and are pulling from savings, retirement and college funds to pay to rebuild. Audrey Debarros, Louisville, asked for support to reduce the use tax and fees as every dollar saved matters and homeowners need certainty and urgency. Darren McKeen, Louisville, asked Council not to tax the materials required to rebuild. The use tax will significantly increase the expense of rebuilding. Charlotte Buck, Louisville, asked Council with assistance regarding the use tax to lower the rebuild costs. John Barrett, Louisville, asked for help with the fees to rebuild. Sherry Sommer, Louisville, asked what the budget impacts will be to the city for the extra fire costs. She asked if the City could just not collect the use tax. Maria McClure, Louisville, stated Council could change things if they wanted to and shared that if she drained her accounts it still wouldn't be enough money to pay for the use tax or the fees. Jeff McGonagle, Louisville, hopes Council and staff will continue to work on the use tax issue during the budget retreat. The use tax was never intended to be used for 550 owners would be paying to rebuild their homes. Russ Moore, Louisville, asked Council to find a way to mitigate the use fees; many people can't afford to rebuild because of the money that is required upfront. Mark Hughes, Louisville, stated residents need help with the use tax as all the costs add up. He is happy to pay building permit fees, but a reduction on those would help as well. David Howe, Louisville, asking to cancel the use tax as it is a burden on fire victims and was intended for new builds/developers.