The Middlesboro City Council approved a change in zoning and ad valorem tax levies during this week’s September meeting.

For Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018, the ad valorem tax levy on personal property in the city of Middlesboro was adopted at 23.20 cents on every $100 of assessed valuation of all personal property subject to taxation for city purposes, according to the ordinance.

The ad valorem tax levy on each $100 in value of all real property subject to taxation by the city for the fiscal year of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 was set at 6.90 cents, according to the ordinance.

The taxes are to be used for the “purposes of defraying the necessary expenses for general operation of the City government and services in the City of Middlesborough…” the ordinance states.

Both tax levies were unanimously approved by the council members present: Blake Bowling, Kevin Barnett, Philip Ball, Alan Farmer, Suzi Pursifull, Lucas Carter and Larry Thacker Sr. Council members Bo Green and Doug Hughes were absent.

Also before the council was an ordinance amending the official zoning map of the city. The Middlesboro Planning Commission made the recommendation to the council to change the zoning at 1100 N. 25th Street from “R1” to “B1” at the request of Binghamtown Church and Gateway Christian School.

Residential zoning for a one-family dwelling is generally referred to as “R1” while “B1” generally designates that property to be used for business purposes.

“All the property involved in the zone change is owned by the church,” states the recommendation. The commission stated that “Per Morgan Bayless, all home owners (affected)…have been contacted and fully support the change…”

The change will allow for a new Coffee House, according to the recommendation, and the proceeds “will go directly to Gateway Christian Schools for scholarships.”

The council passed the ordinance amending the zoning map.

Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88.