Lester Pate will remain on the Holbrook Planning and Zoning Commission for another four years, the city council decided through unanimous approval at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Pate was appointed to the commission in February, filling a vacancy created by the death of Zelda Gray. Pate was appointed to fulfill the remainder of Gray’s term, which was set to expire Oct. 15, 2011.

Under the city’s articles on boards and commissions, planning and zoning commission members are appointed to staggered four-year terms to provide for continuity on the board. Pate will serve until October 2015.

Holbrook’s planning and zoning commission is comprised of seven members who are appointed by the mayor, with the consent of the council.

In other business, the council approved renewing the annual contract with Albert Holler and Associates, which conducts sales tax audits and collections for the city.

Holler’s contract has been renewed annually since November 2008. Holler has collected $105,146.59 in delinquent taxes for Holbrook, and has been paid $86,000 for his services. The council approved paying Holler an additional $24,000 for the coming year.

In recommending the contract renewal, Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Randy Sullivan said, “As busy as we are doing concrete roads and stuff, I don’t think Ray (Alley) and I have time to do tax audits.”

Councilman Richard Peterson said, “This is money well spent. He collects more than he costs, but there is an ongoing benefit, too: as these businesses are made aware they need to pay this tax, they then keep paying it.”

Peterson added the fee versus collection revenue statements don’t reflect the ongoing tax payments that occur as a result of Holler’s efforts.

The contract renewal passed in a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Myron Maxwell casting the dissenting vote. He did not cite his reasons for voting against the contract.

The city council also granted a request by Alex Baldonado, on behalf of the Holbrook Enriching Lives Partnership (HELP) Coalition, to provide financial support for the Halloween Spooktacular event planned for Oct. 31.

The city is donating $400 to the event, which is sponsored each year by the HELP Coalition and the Elks Lodge.

Baldonado said the event drew 400 to 500 kids last year, providing a safe environment for enjoyment of Halloween. He said the city’s donation will be used for candy, supplies and costume contest prize money.

“Year in and year out, we appreciate your support for the youth of our community,” Vice Mayor Charles Haussmann told Baldonado.

The money will be drawn from the city council’s public relations budget.