The Longview City Council approved a temporary business and occupation tax relief for small businesses and approved about $2.9 million in amendments to the 2019-2020 budget Thursday.
The council also rejected a motion to update property maintenance codes because councilmembers said it was not enforced equally, especially at the Alabama Street camp the city set up as a temporary housing site for homeless people.
Mayor Pro Tem Mike Wallin said he was against the state-mandated updates because âunequal enforcement of our code on those who are able to payâ and added that âpublic health officers and the like turn the other way for a special class and a special group in special places, which is not a fair and equitable application of the law.â