FERRIDAY, La. &045; The resignation of Councilman Mitch Ashmore and the renewal of a sales tax that brings in almost $495,000 a year for town operations took center stage at the Town Council’s special meeting Tuesday night.

In a letter dated Tuesday, Ashmore informed Mayor Gene Allen and fellow council members he is resigning from his council post since he has moved out of his district.

Ashmore’s business and home numbers have been disconnected.

Serving on the council &uot;has been rewarding,&uot; Ashmore said in a letter read at the meeting by Allen. &uot;I’m pleased to see the direction (Allen) and the Town Council are moving Ferriday.&uot;

The council voted to accept Ashmore’s resignation and to send notice of the resignation to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office so that office can declare the position vacant.

The Town Council must appoint someone to the position within 10 days after it is declared vacant. The town’s next council elections will be held in April.

In other business, the council voted to request that a 10-year renewal of a 1-cent sales and use tax for town operations and capital improvements be placed on the Nov. 2 ballot.

The tax brought in $494,740 for fiscal year 2002-2003, the last year for which figures were available as of Tuesday.

The council voted to send the request to the town’s bond attorney, the Election Commission and other necessary parties so it can be placed on the ballot.

A resolution was also passed to levy the tax.

&uot;There’s plenty of capital improvements we need here in Ferriday &045; police cars, Š the water plant, there’s equipment we need,&uot; Allen said earlier Tuesday.

The tax was first passed in 1984 and was renewed in 1994.