During Tuesday’s Selma City Council meeting, in which council members voted 7-2 to reject ordinances that would have increased the local gas tax to collect money for infrastructure work, Stephen Brooks presented local leaders with a three-page document he had prepared.

Brooks’ document lists several recommendations for generating revenue for the city, most of which would come as a result of stronger oversight of current income and expenditures.

The document is in line with comments from Councilman John Leashore and Mayor Darrio Melton, both of which have called on people opposing the tax hike to bring forth alternative ideas.

“I would encourage any individual who says they’re against something to say what they’re for,” Melton said during Tuesday’s meeting.

Leashore has made similar calls in earlier meetings.

Brooks is a retired law enforcement agent of 35 years and his recommendation calls for the city to raise taxes only “after all revenue items have been accounted for and reported with transparency and documentation.”

The first plank of Brook’s recommendation calls for “open communication” with the city’s finance office and the installation of a treasurer to provide transparent accounts of the city’s financial status, current accounts receivable and payable balances, current checkbook balances and grant money disbursements and the balance on hand.

As it relates to business licenses, Brooks’ recommended timely renewal notifications, a report submitted to the council on the number of registered city businesses, including those up to date and those in arrears, and employment of a city inspector to personally inspect individual businesses twice a year to ensure they are licensed and conducting business properly.

Brooks also advised that the council should receive reports on the number of locations permitted to sell alcohol or tobacco in the city and a report on the sales taxes collected from those sales.

In relation to sales tax collection, Brooks calls on an end to the practice of allowing business licenses to be transferred to a family member to avoid paying owed taxes, as well as monthly reports and establishment of a payment plan for local business not in compliance.

Brooks’ also called for implementation of a “clear and transparent policy” to confirm all current gas taxes are being collected and clarity on the policy of “voluntary tax payment.”

Brooks also advocated for the council to have access to all documents related to the city’s income streams, including police seizures, building permits, traffic citations, red light camera, facility rentals and more.