Introduction
Welcome to the Crockett City Council Meeting held on 08/07/2023. In this meeting, several important topics were discussed, including the Community Development Block Grant contract, the fiscal year 2024 budget update, and the proposed tax rate. This article will provide a detailed overview of the key points discussed in the meeting, offering insights into the decisions made by the City Council.
1. Community Development Block Grant Contract Presentation
The City Council discussed the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) contract for road reconstruction. The grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and TDA, aims to reconstruct Martin Luther King Road. The road passes in front of the FEMA storm shelter, making it eligible for the grant.
To comply with the requirements of the grant, the city must adhere to Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act. This means directing economic opportunities generated by the grant to low and very low-income individuals. The city prioritizes hiring construction companies and contractors from the impacted area. In addition, the project provides contract opportunities for Grant Administration, engineering, and prime contractors for roadway construction.
- Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Update
The City Council received the certified values from the Crockett County Texas Appraisal District, which aligned with the estimated numbers used for the budget. The budget largely remains unchanged, but adjustments were made to certain items. One of the major changes involved health insurance. The city plans to explore options outside of the existing TML health pool to find better rates for health coverage, reducing the burden on taxpayers.
Other adjustments were made to fuel costs, equipment maintenance, and repair to adequately reflect the operations of the city. The budget also includes funding for a dump truck, which will be financed through water department revenues. It is worth noting that there will be no cost of living increases or raises in the upcoming year.
- Proposed Tax Rate
The City Council discussed the proposed tax rate for the fiscal year 2024 budget. The current tax rate stands at 0.6813, while the no new revenue rate is 0.6111 (excluding the debt rate). The council is in conversation with the appraisal district to ensure the accuracy of these numbers.
The proposed tax rate under consideration is the voter approval rate of 0.6936, which would generate an additional $95,000 in revenue compared to the previous year. This rate takes into account garbage rate increases, water rate increases, health insurance costs, and fuel expenses. To make this rate work, the council had to make budget cuts of nearly $100,000 in other operating line items.
The average homeowner’s property value for the year is $74,501, up from $64,255 the previous year. These numbers provide an overview of the financial landscape for the city and the impact of the proposed tax rate on residents.
- Next Steps
With the discussion on the proposed tax rate concluded, the City Council will issue a proposed tax rate in order to begin the legal notice and public hearing process. This allows the public to provide their input and gives the council an opportunity to make any necessary changes before finalizing the tax rate.
Additionally, the council expressed concerns about the water rate increase and plans to investigate further, including requesting to see the books of the involved parties. The goal is to ensure transparency and understand the reasons behind the proposed increase.
Conclusion
The Crockett City Council Meeting on 08/07/2023 addressed important matters such as the Community Development Block Grant contract, the fiscal year 2024 budget update, and the proposed tax rate. The council discussed the requirements and implications of the grant contract, updated the budget to reflect accurate values, and deliberated on the tax rate that would best serve the city’s needs. Stay tuned for more updates as the process continues to unfold.
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