Cleveland Advocate - News
City Council set to meet
By ALEX WUKMAN
awukman@hcnonline.com
For many the memories of Hurricane Ike are fading with reconnected electricity. For others the day to day reality is still one of subsitence, however things have to move forward which is why Cleveland’s City Council is holding special called meeting Tuesda September 23 at 7 p.m.
The first item on te agenda is a recognition of the community for overcoming the challenges presented by the storm. After that is the adoption of the 2008-2009 budget.
The budget adoption process has been fraught with controversy and debate. Included in the proposed budget are a 5 percent Cost of living Adjustment (COLA) for city employees and a First Alert Autodialer that were opposed by some council members because they would eat into the fund balance.
Additionally council is scheduled to approve the new property tax rate of $0.69 per $100 of taxable value as well as enact an ordinance authorizing the collection of property taxes for 2008. The new is actually a decrease from the 2007-2008 rate.
The city is alos considering how to apportion the funds from the new property tax rate. Two proposals coming before council at the scheduled meeting break down the tax rate; one allocated $0.4377 for maintenance and operation and another sets aside $0.2523 for debt service.
These can be expected to generate quite a bit of of discussion between council members.Most likely from Councilmember Harry Williams who is well known for wanting to pay down the city’s debt and increase the fund balance.
The city is also scheduled to approve matching funds for a TxDOT Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) grant as well as a budget amendment of $12,254 in increased revenue for the civic center. The additional $12,254 is listed on the agenda for “additional expenses including utilities and professional services.”
City hall watchers expect this to generate much discussion on council; particularly from Councilmembers Mike Penry and Williams.
For many the memories of Hurricane Ike are fading with reconnected electricity. For others the day to day reality is still one of subsitence, however things have to move forward which is why Cleveland’s City Council is holding special called meeting Tuesda September 23 at 7 p.m.
The first item on te agenda is a recognition of the community for overcoming the challenges presented by the storm. After that is the adoption of the 2008-2009 budget.
The budget adoption process has been fraught with controversy and debate. Included in the proposed budget are a 5 percent Cost of living Adjustment (COLA) for city employees and a First Alert Autodialer that were opposed by some council members because they would eat into the fund balance.
Additionally council is scheduled to approve the new property tax rate of $0.69 per $100 of taxable value as well as enact an ordinance authorizing the collection of property taxes for 2008. The new is actually a decrease from the 2007-2008 rate.
The city is alos considering how to apportion the funds from the new property tax rate. Two proposals coming before council at the scheduled meeting break down the tax rate; one allocated $0.4377 for maintenance and operation and another sets aside $0.2523 for debt service.
These can be expected to generate quite a bit of of discussion between council members.Most likely from Councilmember Harry Williams who is well known for wanting to pay down the city’s debt and increase the fund balance.
The city is also scheduled to approve matching funds for a TxDOT Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) grant as well as a budget amendment of $12,254 in increased revenue for the civic center. The additional $12,254 is listed on the agenda for “additional expenses including utilities and professional services.”
City hall watchers expect this to generate much discussion on council; particularly from Councilmembers Mike Penry and Williams.
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