Rain?, Taxes (Again) and More!

Well here we are on Saturday again, no rain for the week.  They are saying 30-40% chance of rain, I'm seeing blue sky here and the radar is not very promising.  Maybe later today?  This is Fall?  Ugh!  It is cooler, only got up to 97 yesterday....Yup, this is Texas!  UPDATE - .18 inch of rain about 1:00 - maybe more coming!

*****Taxes*****

Get ready, Monday our elected officials will raise your taxes.  Here is a link to the council packet.  Although the tax "rate" is staying the same (kind of a win since they wanted to go to the rollback rate at first) your property values went up and they will raise an estimated $516,235 over last year.  There was $241,552 new taxes from new property added to the tax roll.  The city doesn't have an income problem, they have a spending problem.  

Some of the things included - although the authorized headcount stays the same, there were several jobs that were upgraded, consultation fees including $150,000 to study roads (several of which are in the county that the city has no control over), and significant legal fees, $558,783 from 5-1-18 thru 9-9-19.  Although some of these are to defend the city, a large portion is going towards changing all the ordinances that have served us well for over 50 years - a lot of legal time on that.

There was other money.  The city carried over nearly a million and a half from last year plus $600,000 was infused from the Police Project bond refund and under budget savings.  

Remember in May there is an election.  The current council and mayor will all vote on Monday to raise your taxes.  Prove me wrong council.

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There has been some questions on existing bonds.  Here is a list of current indebtedness:

• Swim Center                                                       181,620
• City Hall, Public Works, Police Remodel     $2,528,392
• Flintrock Road                                               $4,222,698
• LTYA land purchase                                      $3,658,383
• Police Facility                                              $32,139,918

There will be a bond election next May to fund $5M - our portion of the 620 update project.  Even with that, the bonding attorneys say we have a very low debt ratio in comparison with "like" cities.

***** National Night Out *****

Don't forget National Night Out is October 1.  Look around and join your neighbors - it's a great opportunity to visit with your neighbors and meet some of the officers that protect us every day.

***** Art's Committee Photo Contest *****

The Art's Committee held a photo contest to celebrate the City Park's 25th Anniversary in April.  I am honored to have my photo chosen for the Grand Prize.  I will try to list the other winners next week, they were not included in the newsletter from the city.  There is a display of all the winners in the City Hall foyer.  Thanks to the Art's Committee for all their hard work!

***** ZAPCO *****

ZAPCO meets in regular session next week, here is a link to that agenda.  Looks like standard stuff, they've been talking about an item about the Cherry Knoll property wanting apartments (off Flintrock Road), but that is not in this months packet.  The city is involved in a lawsuit with those folks and it should be interesting.

That's all for right now.  It will get cooler and we will get some rain eventually (I think).  Let me know if you would like to see pictures of other areas and I'll see if I can do that.  The header of the blog is a panorama I did while taking pictures at the church.

If you would like to be added (or removed) from my email list, send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get it done!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Joe Bain

lakeway@bain.us