BURTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES TAX RATE
The Burton City Council approved an ordinance to adopt its property tax rate at Monday’s meeting.
The rate, while remaining $0.50 overall like last year, will consist of $0.1068 for maintenance and operations and $0.3932 for debt services. Last year’s rate had $0.0991 for maintenance and $0.4009 for debt service.
Washington County Chief Appraiser Willy Dilworth spoke at the meeting, explaining the difference between the two rates to councilmembers.
Dilworth recommended the uptick in the maintenance rate, explaining that collected maintenance funds are more flexible than debt service funds.
Whereas debt service funds can only be used for debt payments and collections, maintenance funds can be used for things like paying staff salaries.
Dilworth said it would be “prudent” for the city to continue making small allocations towards the maintenance and operations rate over the next few years. While the city’s projected tax revenues would remain the same, he maintains more of that revenue can be used how the council wishes.
In other items, the council approved revisions to ordinances regarding disposal of junked vehicles in the city. City Secretary Angela Weyand said that the ordinances previously in place were not enforceable, but with these updates they meet state standards.
The council also approved an ordinance regulating recreational vehicles within the city. In addition, it moved to close North Brazos Street between East Texas Street and East Washington Street on October 2nd, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., for National Night Out at the Burton Volunteer Fire Department.
In conclusion, the council tabled discussion on the collection of information on the drilling of a backup water well. Scheduled representatives from J&S Water Wells of Bellville were unable to attend the meeting.