NEWS
Citizen debates spending
By Dani Blackburn
dani@postoakmedia.net
Montague County’s proposal for almost a nickel increase to the tax rate is one step closer to approval after the first public tax rate hearing Monday.
The proposed rate of 0.55 cents is a 6.13 percent increase over the effective rate, which is the amount needed to generate the same tax revenue as last year. The new rate will increase the 2016 rate of .5097 by .0403 cents.
However, commissioners were met with some push back during the hearing from Forestburg resident Paul Braswell, who questioned the county’s spending.
“It is amazing to me this county that has gone through this rise and fall in the oil and gas business has expenditures that keep going up,” argued Braswell. This county has about the same number of people as we had about 30 years ago. We aren’t increasing population, but in the last 10 years we’ve doubled our spending.”
Braswell continued to say money for the expenditures comes out of his pocket, the commissioner’s pockets and his neighbor’s pockets.
“I know where you’re coming from on the expenses, Paul, but you can’t buy stuff today for what you could 15 years ago,” responded Precinct Four Commissioner Bob Langford.
After some back and forth arguing on spending for part-time to full-time employees, ambulance services and repairs to the courthouse, Braswell continued to push commissioners to cut spending when he was interrupted by Precinct One Commissioner Roy Darden.
“Where are we spending it? What are we supposed to cut?” asked Darden. Braswell responded he didn’t know.
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
NEWS
Amon Carter Lake Board to meet
Members of the Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on May 26 in the office at 607A Lindsey for a monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a consent agenda and minutes and financials. Possible discussion/action may be considered on the following topics: Treasurer’s report, review of finance and current loans; president’s report as to the written agreements with contractual employees; consider current water rates and a possible increase; and review of expenses and areas that need amendment.
An executive session may be entered to discuss personnel issues.
NEWS
Saint Jo City Council hires fire marshal
The City of Saint Jo has a new fire marshal as the city council made the appointment during its May 13 meeting.
Gary Hines, a retired professional firefighter and certified fire investigator, will take the position. City Secretary Debbie Dennis said the post is required by ordinance but has not been filled for a long period.
The council set dates for a budget workshop for 2 p.m. on June 14 and 2 p.m. on June 28 for the ordinance workshop, as the council works to update its rules.
Aldermen gave their support to a proposition by Councilman Jack Dunn who is asking the Legislature to allow Texas’ smallest cities, those with 2,500 or few in population, to receive an additional share of sales and use tax. He would like to see the funds used in these communities to repair and replace aging infrastructure without new taxes or reliance on state grants.
In letter to State Rep. David Spiller, whom Dunn will meet with on June 1, the alderman explains much of the state’s 6.25% share generated locally flows into general funds and is spent on other priorities. He would like Spiller to author this legislation. Dunn gave the letter to the council along with a powerpoint on the plan.
“A single water treatment plant upgrade or sewer rehab carries massive, fixed costs that do not shrink with population size. These communities, often with only a few hundred or a couple thousands residents, simply cannot spread those costs across enough ratepayers or a broad tax based,” the letter states.
Dunn suggests a “graduated sales tax retention policy:” 1% additional share for cities with 2,500 or fewer residents; .75% for those 2,500 and 5,000; and .50% for cities between 5,001 and 10,000. It would be dedicated to infrastructure. Dunn says the overall statewide fiscal impact would be negligible, but could help sustain small, rural cities.
NEWS
City of Nocona buys water storage tank, review dam repair
The Nocona City Council approved a bid for a new 203,000 gallon capacity tank for potable water at the water plant and learned a slide repair to the lake dam is going to be pretty costly.
At its May 12 session the council received three bids on the tank and went with one from Tank Depot of Cleburne for $193,923. It is for a a 217,600 gallon tank usable for 203,000 gallons. The price could change slightly since it was based on estimate freight costs.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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