Council sets hearings on tax rate
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Jasper's city council addressed several issues dealing with the adoption of the 2007-2008 fiscal year budget during the monthly meeting held Aug. 13.

Council approved setting two public hearings and approved the city's recommended tax rate. The public hearings are set for Aug. 23 and 27. The current tax rate is 0.323000/$100 and this year's effective tax rate is 0.259700/$100. City officials proposed that maintaining the current tax rate would only increase tax paid on those who had property value increases; taxes would remain the same for those that values did not increase and total city taxes collected would depend on the collection rate.

City staff recommended the tax rate remain at this year's rate of 0.323000/$100. The benefits of keeping the tax rate the same are increased revenues, helps general fund that from 1997 through 2006 averaged a negative variance each year and maintain streets such as Main Street.

In other news;

Council also approved a change in administrative policy on delinquent utility accounts. The city will now begin taking partial payments whereas in the past the city was not allowed to take partial payments before the due date of the bill.

The city also will limit payment extension to one per year with the signing of a draft extension agreement. According to Jasper City Manager Alan Grindstaff, the changes will improve the collection of utility bills.

Council confirmed the audit services of Alexander, Lankford and Hires, Inc. for the 2007 audit. The firm did the audit for the city last year and the city agreed at that time to a three-year deal with the firm. This year, the city is facing a $15,000 increase.

Councilman Randy Sayers questioned whether the city has sought other bids on the process. He was the lone descending vote on the issue, which passed 4-1.

Council tabled a proposal from Metro Planning for deed research and tax lot base. Council has debated this issue in the past meetings and Metro Planning said they could plat the city for a fee of $114,000. Seeing that the school district and county would benefit from the plat as well, council members sought to see if the school district and county would share in the costs of the plat fee.

Council approved a request to purchase the old "chicken plant" property located off Birch Street. An appraisal on the property has been requested and council approved to advertise the property the next few weeks and final action and sale be taken at the September council meeting.

Council approved a 2007 Drought Contingency plan that meets all TCEQ requirements.

Council approved a resolution supporting the widening of U.S. Highway 96 between Jasper and Tenaha. The resolution is just a "show of support" according to Grindstaff.