Sunday's Internet Edition, July 20, 2008.
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| Diante Farley and Paige Logan were named Homecoming King and Queen during the Copperas Cove High School Homecoming Game Friday night. Farley and Logan are both seniors. – Photo by LARRY HAUK |
Leader-Press correspondent -
GATESVILLE – Coryell County Commissioners on Monday set county’s new tax rate at 42.407-cents-per-$100 property valuation and accepted the proposed county budget of $10,474,674.44 budget for the coming year.
The actions came after the court was open in public hearing to hear comments from the public on the proposed budget, but no one attended to speak. The tax rate and budget proposals passed the county without objection.
The tax rate reflects an increase of 1.2-cents, from last year’s rate of 41.207 cents-per-$100 property valuation. County Judge John Hull explained the roll back rate – that is, the rate at which citizens can call for a roll back election – is 43.710-cents. The proposed rate is less than that mark. The effective tax rate – that is the rate that would be required to fund last year’s budget figure – is 39.65-cents-per-$100 property valuation.
The State of Texas set roll back limits some years ago in an effort to allow citizens to have some control over their tax rates. A successful roll back challenge would force a taxing entity to revert to a tax rate less than the roll back rate for that budget year.
Last fiscal year’s country budget was set at $9.8 million according to records from the county auditor’s current budget reports.
The new budget includes raises for all county starting salaries. The court agreed that since beginning salaries had not changed in many years, an increase was in order. As well, the budget includes a 2.5 percent cost of living raise for county employees.
The 1.2-cent increase is the exact amount Copperas Cove Independent School District trustees approved
After approving court minutes from the previous two meetings, the court accepted a final plat on a subdivision planned for the southeast portion of the county. Rick Hines, owner of the Legend Oaks Ranch Subdivision, said he would formally file the plat with the county clerk’s office on Monday.
Further the court unanimously appointed Trent Farrell and Charlotte Kanzenbach to the county’s child welfare board.
The court also agreed to a contract with Cardtranz, Inc., to provide credit card services in Justice Courts 1 and 2. The company already handles credit card transactions in the district and county clerk’s offices and in the county tax office.
The contract means now those who are required by Justice Courts in Copperas Cove to pay fines or fees may do so with a credit card.
The court also agreed to join with McLennan and Bell counties to apply for a governor’s office grant to improve radio communications between the three governmental entities.
Following the formal meeting Commissioner Jack Wall announced he had received permission from the Texas Department of Transportation to begin work on the upgrade to Grimes Crossing. Wall said the letter requires the county to notify TxDOT no less than 48 hours before beginning work.
Wall also said the project won’t begin before October 1 and once started it should take about 180 days to finish the work. He said the old crossing will not close until the new one is complete.