BURTON CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS TAX RATE FOR 2020

  

The Burton City Council voted unanimously to adopt a tax rate for the new fiscal year at its teleconference meeting Tuesday.

The rate approved by council is 50 cents per $100 valuation, unchanged from 2019.  The allocation of the rate did change slightly from last year, consisting of 10.25 cents for maintenance and operations (M&O) and 39.75 cents for debt service (I&S).  Last year’s tax rate had allocations of 10 cents for M&O and 40 cents for I&S.

The council will hold a public hearing on the tax rate September 8^th at 5:30 p.m.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the council approved a yard maintenance ordinance after several months of discussion and revisions.  The ordinance pertains to the regulating of weeds and uncut grasses, and provides for enforcement measures.

According to City Secretary Angela Harrington, a main point to the ordinance is that grass and weeds should not be allowed to grow longer than 9 inches tall.  Exceptions include agricultural crops; hay that is grown for specific purpose cultivation, provided that it is mowed and baled at least every 45 days; cultivated trees and shrubs; wildflowers, but only until such time as seeds have matured following the final blooming of the majority of the plants; and creeks and natural areas approved by the city.

Also in session, the council:

• Tabled approval of a Dersken building structure (756 square foot cabin/house) to be placed at 800 North Main Street by Susie Tommaney. Mayor David Zajicek and several councilmembers will meet with Tommaney at a later date to get a better understanding of her plans, and to give her a better understanding of what the city requires to gain approval.
• Approved an ordinance to abandon and convey the alleyway running through property owned by Hilton Thompson and Fritz Steenken between North Colorado Street and Trinity Street, north of East Cedar Street and south of Pecan Street. The two property owners seek to purchase the alleyway running through their respective properties.
• Approved a variance for a new mobile home at 306 South Main Street. According to Harrington, the location previously had a mobile home on the property, and water and sewer hookups are already present.
• Approved the Washington County Appraisal District budget for 2020-21 as approved by the Appraisal District Board on July 28^th.