CENTREVILLE &045; With liability and fire insurance coverage on the vacant William Carter Building due to expire next month, the Town of Centreville will be responsible for a third of the cost to renew the policy.

Aldermen agreed Tuesday to pay the town’s portion of the $5,024 premium to continue the current $1 million coverage on the property.

The former garment factory is owned by Amite and Wilkinson Counties and the Town of Centreville.

Until now, expenses on the property were paid from a fund generated by fees the company paid in lieu of taxes while the plant was operational.

That fund is now depleted, according to Centreville Mayor David Owens.

&uot;There was about $40,000 there, but it’s been used to pay for insurance and maintenance,&uot; Owens said.

The board agreed to pay a third of the renewal, contingent upon the two counties paying the balance.

The board also voted to ask the

legislature to pass an optional sales tax law.

The proposed legislation would allow municipalities to hold elections and raise local sales taxes by one percent if 60 percent of voters approve the tax hike.

Owens said such an increase would mean about $100,000 more revenue for the town.