09-30-1980 (City Council) Minutes SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 30, 1980
7:00 P.M.
Invocation was given by Councilman William Martin.
In attendance were: Mayor John W. Akin , Councilmen Roy Hall , Don Hughes,
Rowland Kreymer, Harold Eavenson, and William Martin, City Manager Lee
Vickers, City Secretary Gail Wallace. Visitors present were John Morgan,
Carol Morgan, Carol Tice, Denny Lynes, William Warren, Larry K. Allen,
Mike Rawlings, Jeff Moore and Police Chief Royce Abbott.
Mayor Akin requested City Manager Vickers to explain the new budget and
the proposed tax increase. Mr. Vickers explained the proposed increase
would raise the current tax rate from $1.10 to $1.26. This increase is
based on 50% of current market value of property. Mr. Vickers gave an
overall explanation of each different account and how the money was to be
used, and how the new budget compared to that of last year. He explained
that a tax increase was necessary to cover the expense of adding an addi-
tional patrolman and a municipal court clerk to the Police Department.
The main concern of the visiting citizens was how the proposed increase
related to assessed and appraised value of their property. The City
Manager explained that the tax rate was applied to the assessed value
only of the property. The responsibility of assessing values on property
is that of the Assessor/Collector which is a position also held by the �*
City Manager. He explained that there would be no increase of assessed
value on homes and businesses this year over last year. He also explained
that next year the Central Tax Appraisal Agency will appraise and re-evaluate
all property in the City and County under a new state tax law. Under this new
law all property will be appraised at 100% of current market value. Denny
Lynes voiced concern over the possiblity of having another tax increase
next year as a result of the new appraisals. The City Manager and the Council-
men explained that there could be a possible and probable tax decrease next
year, and that there had been no appraisals in this area for the past four
years. The purpose for the appraisals next year is to equalize the value of
property in all areas and for all agencies. It is mandatory by law.
Several other items were discussed by the citizens which did not pertain
to the tax hearing.
Mayor Akin closed the public hearing on proposed tax increas and went direct-
ly into the Council Meeting Agenda.
Mayor Akin informed the Council that the purpose of the meeting was to dis-
cuss an ordinance adopting a revised budget for 1979-80. Mr. Vickers explained
that it was the custom of the City to adopt a revised budget for the end of
the year to bring up-to-date appropriate money spent that was not appropriated
in the ordinance a year ago. Roy Hall made a motion to adopt the Ordinance,
Councilman Eavenson seconded, all in favor.
Councilman Hughes made a motion to meet next week to further discuss the new
budget, Councilman Eavenson seconded, all in favor.
Page 2 . :
Councilman Martin made a motion to recess into Executive Session, in
accordance with Article 6252-17, subsection 2G, to discuss personnel
matters. Councilman Hughes seconded, all in favor.
There being no further business, meeting was adjourned.
hn W. Akin, Mayor
Gail Wallace
City Secretary
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