Smiley City Council ratifies tax rate and approves budget for 2020-2021

At the special called meeting of the Smiley City Council on Sept. 24, 2020, a tax rate of 0.3573 was ratified for the fiscal year of 2020-2021, and the city’s proposed budget was approved.

This rate of 0.3573, or 35.73 cents per $100 of property valuation, is the No New Revenue rate, which means that the tax rate levied by the city has not changed from the previous year. However, that does not mean taxes paid by property owners will decrease, as property values in the area are expected to increase.

The city council also received a presentation from City Marshal Lawrence Robles regarding how money is collected and distributed by the state from fees for citation and court fees.

In other business:

Reports were received by the council from Public works regarding water and sewer activity, as well as the Municipal Court report, Marshal report and Fire Marshal report.

The purchase of a sanitizer gun, or defogger, for the use of the Fire Department to sanitize its trucks, was discussed and approved.

The status of new purchases regarding fire trucks for the department was also discussed, as well as internet for the station to facilitate training for members were discussed, but the items were tabled.

The costs of a mandatory course and hotel stay for City Marshal Robles was discussed and approved.

Given that the city has a contract with a third-party collections firm, the council elected not to renew its contract with Txlop, which will save an estimated $1,800 annually.

The council approved the engagement letter by Goldman, Hunt and Notz LLP for the Oct. 1, 2018 – Sept. 30, 2019 audit.