The Dublin City Council set a proposed tax rate and announced a water rate increase from Upper Leon River Municipal Water District during its regular meeting Monday night.
City Manager Bobby Mendez presented a proposed rate of .8275 per $100 valuation, noting that this was essentially setting a ceiling as the council entered into budget discussions. The council will be able to adopt a lower rate as the budget is discussed and gets closer to being finalized.</p>
<p>The proposed rate is lower than the current .9001 per $100 valuation but whether the rate is lower, higher or stays the same depends on the change in appraisal values for property owners and many had large increases from 2021 to 2022.</p>
<p>Mendez also presented a decision to the council regarding water rates as Upper Leon was raising its price to the city from $4.8153 per thousand gallons to $4.9051 per thousand gallons.</p>
<p>This represents an annual raise schedule announced by the district in previous years to field infrastructure updates and upkeep.</p>
<p>The first public hearing on the tax rate will be held on Sept. 12 before the meeting at 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Mendez asked the council if they wanted to eat the cost or pass it to the customers, noting that the combined extra cost would be around $9,000 to the city annually.</p>
<p>It was noted that the 1.864% increase would mean a rise from $50.55 to $51.49 in the base charge for water customers inside the city limits and an increase from $72.52 to $73.87 for homes outside the city limits.</p>
<p>Following discussion of the cost, the council voted to pass the increase on to customers with Keegan McInroe voting against.</p>
<p>The council also voted to close out the contract with Whitewater Construction who has been replacing outdated sewer pipe in the city with funds acquired in a certificate of Obligation. Mendez reported that the crews have fulfilled the work with about $400,000 left of the C.O (and around $50,000 raised in interest since acquiring it in 2019). The remaining funds will be used to fix more of the ongoing sewer repairs/ renovations after Jacob & Martin puts together a plan.</p>
<p>Chamber of Commerce member Juanita Torres was on hand to request the waiving of City Park fees for the Oct. 1 Hispanic Heritage Festival, noting that the celebration has changed venues to the park with a large schedule of events. The festival will also include a parade.</p>
<p>Council members unanimously approved the waiving of the park fees.</p>
<p>Council members also approved appointing Sammy Moore to the Dublin Economic Development Corporation and as Mayor Pro-Tem (with Moore abstaining from both votes).</p>
<p>The Council also approved changing the authorized representatives for the city’s Texas Short Term Asset Reserve Program account after administration was made aware of the account started in 2008 and untouched for several years. Mendez said he would report on the account in the next meeting.</p>
<p>The council also unanimously approved the construction of a carport with property line variance at 353 W. Blackjack as part of a Board of Adjustments hearing.</p>