Bryson proposes to keep 2016 tax rate

BRYSON – No changes are being made to the 2017-18 city budget here.

City Secretary Frank Hefner said Bryson City Council members met for more than an hour Monday night to discuss the budget. Much of that was instructing new councilmembers on the intricacies of a municipal budget. Hefner said the council proposed to keep the tax rate the same at 66.8 cents per $100 valuation.

“We decided that we have no money, so we really made very few changes,” Hefner said. “There were no cuts but we will very closely be watching our Ps and Qs.”

Because of an increase of property values of about $44,000, there will be more money being brought in, although Hefner said it will be “a small amount.” With an approximate drop of 25 percent in sales tax after the cities of Jacksboro and Graham began selling alcohol, the city will have to watch what it’s doing but no cuts are planned right now.

“We have not taken the hit (through sales tax) I thought we would, but I still think the worst has not arrived yet,” Hefner said.

Two public hearings must be held on the budget and tax rate before it can be approved. They are scheduled for Aug. 14 and Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Hefner said the budget is expected to be approved as part of the September regular council meeting on Sept. 11.

The budget will then go into effect Oct. 1.