The Newborn City council meeting started off with a small prayer following an introduction of guest attendee Elect Pasty Harris who is running for State House Representative of district 112. Here’s what you need to know from the meeting:

1. Mayor Greg Ellwagner spoke with the head of Monroe state patrol about enforcing speeding regulations.  A financial proposal will be drawn up during the next meeting in November to discuss possible speed bumps being placed in major intersections and residential neighborhoods.
2. A note was made that the 2015 budget is slightly lower than 2014. Reasons for the budget decrease: the city lost more than 15 percent of income from a local restaurant that closed down 6 month ago. Revisions and final overview of the 2015 budget will be discussed in the next meeting.
3. Shiloh Baptist is being petitioned by the city of Newborn to take precautionary steps in taking down a deteriorating sign that was once grandfathered into the system, which has now passed its expiration date. The council members are in the process of locating the owner and or affiliates to take action in satisfying city regulations.
4. The city pavilion is available for reservation. Large parties are required to sign up for a time slot. Reserved parties have made complaints of disruption from outside guests who did not have a reservation. The council said there are signs posted at the park informing citizens of this reservation policy. The council also encouraged citizens that anyone who is not sure of reservations for a particular day should check the park bulletin board.
5. A brief issue arose on the enforcement of the Blight Tax, a property tax increase that is a regulation to warn citizens to take care of their property.  Citizens can receive a tax increase up to three times the fee. Anyone who obliges to this law is at risk of being penalized. This tax is not only for those who aren’t taking care of their property, but some may be eligible to receive a tax break for the upkeep of their property.