GRAYSON — Many of those who attended Tuesday evening’s Grayson City Council meeting were shaking their heads in disbelief as they departed, while others gathered and talked about what they could do.

Inside, elected officials had approved a modified plan to deduct a 1 percent payroll tax from everyone who works within city limits. The payroll deduction tax, a highly discussed issue between the mayor and city council members in recent months, was fresh news to many who came to the crowded council room with long lists of questions.

As the meeting began, a small crowd leaned into the doorway to hear the comments. About 40 waited outside for more information. Among those were many who work in Grayson but live outside the city. Loma Felty, who works at Farmers True Value Hardware and lives in nearby Pactolus, said it seemed unfair to have no say about the plans made for a portion of her paycheck.

Morris Robinson agreed and said he and others think the mayor “would have maybe checked some more possibilities” for city funding. Both said the proposed payroll deduction tax would be especially hard for the city’s fast food workers and others who make the minimum wage.

Many stood in the meeting room as council members, the city attorney and mayor listened to concerns and tried to convince the audience the payroll tax was the best option to make Grayson a desirable place in which to live.

From the percentage proposed to the social impact of the idea itself, nearly every aspect of the idea was questioned and debated for nearly three hours before the second reading of the plan was put to a vote. While the opinions offered were diverse, there was overwhelming agreement the city’s police officers and other employees, including street repair crews, deserve a fair wage and retirement options.

As the conversation continued, Mayor George Steele became visibly upset. One remark prompted him to comment, “Every educator in this city has fought this thing.” He later expressed surprise so many seemed to know so little about what the city had proposed.

“This is the first time we’ve had people out for a council meeting in nine months,” he said.

The mayor suggested council members vote to approve the final reading of the proposed payroll deduction ordinance “with the attitude of lowering it before it comes into effect if we can do it,” and with further input from a to-be-named committee.

Originally proposed as a 1.75 percent tax, the figure was dropped to 1.5 percent during a special meeting last week and further adjusted to a single percent before Tuesday’s vote.

Council member Pearl Crum cast the only vote against the payroll deduction tax.

The mayor asked those who want to serve on the proposed committee to contact the city clerk.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.