The autumn chill had already fallen outside, but inside city hall the heat was on.

About 25 people gathered in the council chambers Thursday evening. Business owners and concerned citizens gathered to offer suggestions and vent their frustration at the proposed new fees the city is considering.

Several others echoed that sentiment and agreed that if taxes keep rising, then eventually small businesses in Selma will be forced to shut down.

Martha Jackson, of tax and license collection department, read some garbage collection fee prices in several Alabama cities.

Many people present, though, claimed that Selma can’t be compared to other cities in Alabama because Selma’s taxes are higher.

Mayor James Perkins Jr.

listed several reasons including Selma’s old infrastructure and the uncontrollable rising costs of insurance and workers compensation among others.

Business owners had many suggestions for raising the needed money.

One citizen asked the council if money owed in arrears could be used to bridge the gap while another thought that changing garbage pick-up to once a week would help.

Others stated thought that many problems could be solved if Selma citizens spent their money at Selma businesses instead of driving to Montgomery and spending their money there.

Perkins did state that no new sales tax would be passed to the relief of many.

The council held a work session before the 6:00 p.m. meeting where the following points were discussed:

The next city council meeting will be held Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. instead of Monday due to the Veterans Day holiday.