CITY COUNCIL EXPECTED TO RAISE TAX RATE THURSDAY

  

The Brenham City Council will be setting the tax rate for the coming fiscal year at their meeting Thursday.  The council is expected to raise the rate 1 cent per $100 valuation.  Currently the city property tax rate is $0.507 per $100 valuation.  That is expected to increase to $0.517.  The Washington County Appraisal District has certified taxable values in the city of $1 billion 268 million for the 2017 Tax Year. That is a net increase of 6% above the 2016 values. The proposed increase in the tax rate along with the increase in property valuations would mean city businesses and residents would see a 7 percent increase in their property taxes.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, Brenham Director of Development Services Erik Smith will be giving an overview of Senate Bill 1004 and its effect on the city.  That bill allows cellular companies access to city right of way to deploy new 5G nodes.  It also caps the amount that cities can charge for the access to $250 per node.

The council will also be considering 2 special use zoning permits.  Redeemer Church is asking for a special use permit to operate a church and school on their property at 2111 South Blue Bell Road.  Redeemer recently purchased the Brenham Christian Academy campus.  Council will also discuss a special use permit to allow On Site Clean Car to operate an auto detail shop at 1414 West Main Street.

Also on the agenda is the possible approval of an Interlocal Agreement with the county for the city’s share of new integrated public safety software.  The new system is expected to be operational by April of next year.

Brenham City Council meets Thursday at 1:00 pm on the second floor of City Hall.