Colbert baffled by digest figures

Colbert mayor John Waggoner had hoped the city would tentatively set its millage rate Monday night.

Then he saw the county digest figures for Colbert.

Now, he’ll take extra time to review some numbers he found puzzling.

“There are so many questions on it that I’m not ready to go forward with it,” he said. “Evidently, I’m going to have to go over to the tax office and see exactly what they’re talking about.”

The city has scheduled a meeting Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. to set the millage rate.

Overall, the assessments in Colbert are up over $3 million — from $12.38 million last year to $15.95 million this year.

“What’s making the difference is a bunch of stuff on here that’s never been on here before,” Waggoner said.

Things like industrial furniture, fixtures and equipment, which is up $3.6 million in the city. That wasn’t listed on last year’s digest, Waggoner said.

Or free-port inventory, which is $2.36 million. When asked what free-port inventory was, Waggoner wasn’t sure.

“I don’t know what it is to tell you the truth,” he said.

Another items confusing city leaders were commercial inventory in Colbert rising from $99,000 to $387,875 and residential assessments dropping by $1 million.

Waggoner said the city simply can’t go forth right now.

“It’s got to be right before we get to the bottom line,” he said.