Heath City Council tackles tax increase, road construction issues

by PegNews wire

Well, it's actually only a maintenance of the CURRENT tax rate they'll be opening up for discussion, in point of (convoluted state tax code) fact.

When the city council of Heath meets at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall on Aug. 19, they'll be taking up the issue (in public hearing format) of a proposed city tax increase for 2008.

The Heath City Council won't need one of these to determine what effect the tax rate increase will have on property valuations, it turns out

Also under discussion will be the construction project affecting the section of White Road between Country Club and Tubbs.

Also under discussion will be a measure to put an election item on the November ballot relating to amendments to the existing Home Rule charter.

Other topics brought to the group table will include:

* construction projects slated for Chris Cuny Pkwy., Cove Ridge Rd. and Rush Creek Dr.

* a settlement agreement between. the city and RCH Water Supply Corp. (involving transfer of the Retail Water Utility Service Area, and conveyance of associated property)

* a boundary adjustment with the City of Rockwall

* a professional services agreement for appraisal services

* board and commission appointments

A late-breaking CLARIFICATION from City Secretary Stephanie Galanides, in regard to my question involving the current tax rate and the proposed level of increase:

Stephanie informs that the current tax rate and the proposed tax rate are actually the same, and have been so since 1992 ($0.3433 per $100 valuation), but that - due to an arcane provision of state tax code (my characterization) - the growth in revenue resulting from more citizenry and business necessitates this kind of declaration and the associated public hearing.

posted by JM