By Jason C. Mattox
and Billy Davis

Batesville became a non-smoking city Friday morning when a new ordinance became effective that forbids smoking in private businesses and on city-owned property.

Batesville aldermen voted 4-1 at a February 2 meeting to implement the non-smoking policy.

A public hearing was not held.

Batesville police officers, between calls, are working through an alphabetical list of businesses to hand deliver the city’s new rules.

Police officers told The Panolian that some business owners are complaining to them about the new ordinance, with some saying they were unaware of the city’s action.

Mayor Jerry Autrey said Monday that public complaints have not reached him.

“I haven’t heard a word,” he said.

Batesville aldermen also determined, during a meeting last week, that city-owned vehicles will also be non-smoking.

If a city employee violates the new ordinance, the penalties will be: first offense; one-day suspension without pay; second offense, two-day suspension without pay; third offense, termination.

“We wanted to make sure that the penalties facing our employees were on the same level as they were for the private citizens,” Ward 3 Alderman Stan Harrison said during a recent meeting.

The penalties for individuals violating the ordinance will be fined $50 for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense.

The larger penalties outlined are for business owners who violate the ordinance. Those fines are $100 for the first violation; $200 for the second violation and $500 for each subsequent offense within a calendar year.

The Panolian reported incorrect fine amounts in its Friday, March 5 issue.

According to the ordinance, any business in the city that violates the ordinance more than three times in the calendar year, the city has the right to suspend or revoke any business license or permit issued by the city.

“We are trying to do what we can to improve the quality of life in the city,” Autrey told The Panolian last week.