Bryson adopts tax rate increase, schedules town hall meeting

City of Bryson adopted a tax rate of $0.570000 per $100 valuation, an increase of 7.55%, following a public hearing Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The rate adopted was higher than the no new revenue rate of $0.481306 per $100 valuation, but less than the voter approval rate of $0.571502 per $100 valuation.

City officials scheduled a town hall meeting for 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 in the Bryson school cafeteria to discuss the state of the city.

Mayor Lutitia Ford said she wanted to give the residents and the city a way to talk in an open forum about issues facing Bryson, including the cost to update and replace the wastewater treatment plant.

“More than anything I want them to know what we’re faced with on our sewer plant,” Ford said. “How would they feel about a bond election? It’s a faster way of paying for this, but there’s no need for us to pay for an election if no one will vote for it.”

The city also wanted a chance to talk about road repairs and upgrades, and bar ditch maintenance, and what it could mean for roll off dumpsters.

“I know people want the roads fixed but in order to fix the roads we have to fix the bar ditches. If we fix the bar ditches, there go your big dumpsters,” Ford said. 

Ford said if bar ditches were fixed, residential dumpsters could be required to sit on a concrete pad in order for the trucks to reach them for service.

Other discussions could include how to implement improvements to the city park and baseball complex.

While a quorum of city council members could be present, no decisions will be made at the town hall meeting. The public is encouraged to attend and participate.