Published: August 18, 2008 05:03 pm      

Ada council to discuss lake, convention center, hotel tax

Ada — Ada City Council will discuss and possibly act on reserving $500,000 of Proposition 2 money to help fund a proposed convention center by East Central University at tonight's 5:45 p.m. meeting at council chambers.

At an Ada city council meeting several months ago, ECU President Richard Rafes, with the help of Ada Jobs Foundation director Michael Southard, asked the city for $500,000 to go towards the $16 million it will cost to build the convention center. Council chose to wait for more information to place the item on the agenda.

Council members will also discuss amending the code of ordinances to add a new hotel tax. If accepted, the city could levy a five percent tax from each hotel room rented in the city of Ada.

If favorable, council will discuss holding an election on Nov. 4, 2008 for voters to accept or reject the proposed ordinance. According to city officials, revenue from the hotel tax would be used for construction, maintenance of parks and recreational facilities and for enhancing and promoting tourism development. Funds collected would also be used for administration and collection of the taxes.

Council will discuss a request from developers of Stonebridge Subdivision for connection to the city of Ada’s water and sewer utilities.

The request was on the agenda at the last city council meeting. Pete Benes, a partner of Stonebridge Development, requested the item be tabled because his attorney could not be present. The item was not tabled and due to a lack of motion after discussion, the agenda item died.

The item reappeared on agenda after Attorney Ken Johnson requested it be placed on agenda.

Selection of a financial advisor for Phase III of Scissortail Lake Feasibility Study will also be discussed. People’s Electric Cooperative is asking for assistance with its 2008 annual meeting to be held Saturday, Sept. 27. Ada Main Street is asking for assistance with “Autumn Days in Ada” scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8.