HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-05 - Special City CouncilMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
City of Stephenville - City Council
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3,1998 - 5:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened in special session on Thursday,
September 3, 1998, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 298 West Washington Street,
with the meeting being open to the public and notice of said meeting, giving the date, time, place and
subject thereof, having been posted as prescribed by Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's
Texas Codes Annotated, with the following members present, to wit:
Mayor:
Councilmembers:
Others Attending:
I. CALL TO ORDER.
John Moser
Marshall Shelton
Joel Hillin
K. H. Conatser
Bea Marin
Barbara Terrell
Jerry B. Madkins
Wm. H. (Bill) Stanley
Rusty Jergins
Don Davis, City Administrator
Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary
Randy Thomas, City Attorney
Mayor Moser called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
II. PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE TOTAL TAX
REVENUE FROM PROPERTIES ON THE TAX ROLL
Mayor Moser opened the public hearing.
Elizabeth Zickefoose had questions about the bond issue which was passed in May,
1998. City Administrator Don Davis explained that the Stephenville ISD passed a
bond election in the fall of 1997 for the building and renovation of school buildings,
and the City's bond election was to provide for streets, water, sewer and storm sewer
in the area of the new junior high school.
Darrell Smith wanted to know what the basis is the tax rate proposal based on. He
asked why there was a need for this type of tax increase.
September 3, 1998 - Minutes of Special Meeting
Mayor Moser explained that it was necessary to support the budget passed by the
council. Davis also explained that the increase in the tax rate is a result of the debt
service increase that was approved by vote of the people last May [bond election].
Smith stated that he was upset about what appeared to be misspending. He said the
council was not aware that we are in a world recession, and this country will be in a
recession in about seven months. He said it was hard for him to show a profit in his
rental business because the ad valorem taxes in this town are too high.
Larry Pierce said he came from Waco about five years ago, and is a retired school
principal. Pierce said that when there is an increase in property valuation and then
a "pretty high increase in tax ", it is a hardship on a lot of people. He asked the
council to reconsider this.
Mayor Moser closed the public hearing and announced that the meeting to adopt the
tax rate will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 1998, at 5:30 p.m.
III. ADJOURN
There being no fin ther business, the meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m.
r
Jo Moser, Mayor
ATTEST:
September 3, 1998 - Minutes of Special Meeting