City discusses budget

Despite the new budget not going into effect until Oct. 1, city officials are looking into it right now.

City Manager Mike Smith told council members at their May 23 meeting he has been working with his department heads o getting that started. A preliminary budget must be turned in July 20. Significant changes will be made before the final budget, which must be ratified by the council, goes into effect Oct. 1.

Smith said the preliminary values of houses and buildings have gone up to the tune of about $3 million. About 50 property owners have asked to have their house value adjusted because of the tornado. House values are done based on Jan.1 value, which is after the March 21 tornado, so it remains to be seen what if any effect the tornado will have.

Final certified values must be provided by the appraisal district on or before July 25. Smith says he’s worried about the sales tax, which is always two months behind. He says the numbers have been very strong all year so far. With the economy nationally in a decline, he expects those numbers to either plateau or drop over the next few months.

In a related item, sales tax numbers reported for May, which were actually collected in March, were up around $30,000 over last year’s numbers.

In other news during the 45-minute meeting,

Smith said the city has obtained a cover for the kennels which have been moved into what will be a temporary shelter out at the airport. The shelter will be used until a new one can be built near the old site off US Highway 380.

Aldermen approved to RFQ from Hayter Engineering of Bowie for the replacement of an overhead sanitary sewer line at Sewell Park. The line will be paid for out of America Rescue Act funds. Hayter Engineering and Garber Engineering had tied for the over all request but Garber had been working with the city on getting a grant for the sewer treatment plant, Smith explained.

Swearing in of Place Alderman Libby Gonzales, Precinct 3 Alderman Greg Robinson and Precinct 5 Aldermen Stewart Chalmers and Mayor Craig Fenter was completed. The four ran unopposed eliminating the need for an election, which was scheduled for May 7.