Smithville City Council Meeting September 11
Notes from meeting taken by Connie Clark, Editor/Bastrop County Beacon
The 2023-2024 Budget was the main topic of comments and votes by the Council. Go to the City of Smithville website and click on the recorded version of the meeting to hear all comments made by the Council and Citizens.
Janice Bruno, Tom Etheridge and Mitchell Jameson responded to comments made during the Citizen Comments to each agenda item. Five women spoke with comments against the increase in the budget, the sales tax revenue, and the raises for various departments and staff. All acknowledged that Smithville does not have any property that can be developed. One mentioned annexing Quail Run in the ETJ to generate revenue for the City and got a response that all annexations must be voluntary by the property owner and this particular owner wanted too many costly improvements to make it worthwhile. It was agreed that the City planners need to create a strategy for increasing development and therefore, revenue for the Smithville.
Council approved all of the August meeting minutes and the September 6 Budget Workshop.
Council also approved the Adoption of the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget by a four to one vote. An increase of $21K for staff raises is planned and will reduce COLA to increase Merit levels for the change.
Robert McKinley of the appraisal district explained the terms of the Smithville Tax Note 2023, levying an annual ad valorem tax. Council approved the $3M loan which will be financed by Raymond James.
Council approved an Ordinance adopting the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Tax Rate at .548952 per $100 valuation – an increase of .003% per $100 from last year. They also ratified the Property Tax Revenue Increase reflected in the new Budget.
A Public Hearing with Citizen’s Comments was held referencing the Townsite Block 66, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 owned by Logan Sweeney. All were opposed to the variances requested. Council approved the re-plat and denied the variances.
Council approved:
A resolution to update the Master Fee Scheduled.
A resolution to improve the runway lighting at the Smithville Crawford Airport.
David Edwards will fill a vacancy on the Library Board.
Approval of the Financial Report.
Proclamations were read for “National Preparedness Month” and “Energy Efficiency Day”
The documents supporting the agenda items may be found on the City’s website.
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