Possible tax rate discussed
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County commissioners got their first good look at tax rate options during a meeting on Monday, Aug. 21, but could not take any action on proposing a rate because the item was not listed on the agenda.
The elected officials will meet again on Monday, Aug. 28 with the expectation of proposing a rate.
A $4,961,093 budget was proposed and filed after an Aug. 14 session, as required by law, but adjustments can be made before it is adopted pending a budget hearing set for Sept. 8.
County judge John Viertel asked commissioners to look at the tax rate calculated at 66.31 cents, which is below the rate that requires voter approval and includes the county’s “unused tax increment” of 3.69 cents. Last year’s actual rate is 63.65 cents and the No New Revenue rate is 60.07 cents.
Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder, who was on speaker phone for a portion of the meeting, explained to commissioners that the “unused increment rate” could be added to whatever rate is proposed without triggering a need for voter approval, as long as the overall rate is 66.31 cents or below.
If proposed, the 66.31 cents would generate an M&O tax revenue of about $3.6 million.
“Conservative districts that did not adopt the highest rate possible before an election can ‘bank’ the difference in the Voter Approval Rate and the adopted tax rate using a certain formula and taking the prior three (years) into consideration,” Snyder explained. “This is meant to provide districts that do not typically pass the highest taxes on to taxpayers the ability to increase taxes in a year where more revenue is needed.”
The intention of the court is to have a budget hearing and possible public hearing for the tax rate on Sept. 8.
Courthouse Lawn
Viertel stated that a couple of citizens had expressed concern about the courthouse lawn and trees during this extended dry period.
Pat Kelly had volunteered to help water the trees and had been rotating a hose from tree to tree for the past week or so, Viertel said.
He asked if the sprinkler system should be checked for leaks and the timer reset.
Commissioner Ace Reames made a motion to get Texas Grass Shall Grow to check the lines, repair as needed, and turn on the sprinkler system three times a week in the evenings.
Reames stated that the red oak trees on the lawn are infested with borers, and he asked an exterminator to check on possible treatment.
KC Jones requested and was given permission to remove a broken stone bench near the gazebo that has Jones family names.
