The Dublin City Council set a proposed tax rate, discussed a water rate increase and heard a request from Revitalize Dublin for ideas to improve downtown during the regular council meeting Monday, Aug. 12.
The proposed tax rate approved was $0.6883 per $100 valuation, down from the current rate of $0.8021. This rate would yield more taxes due to the rise in appraised values on property in Dublin. City Manager Bobby Mendez explained that this rate is simply a cap while they start to figure out a budget for the coming year. He assured the city historically approves a lower rate than the proposed and tries to be fiscally responsible.
Mendez also reported that he was close to having a preliminary budget ready so they can discuss budget matters in the next meeting Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. The council also unanimously set a public hearing on the tax rate to be held during the Sept. 9 meeting. (Council member Darren Turley and mayor David Leatherwood were absent for the meeting with Sammy Moore acting as Mayor Pro-Tem.)
City Secretary Melissa Minor informed the council Upper Leon Municipal Water District is raising rates for the coming year with Upper Leon citing an increase in the cost of chemicals to treat water. Minor estimated the 4.892 percent increase would mean an additional $31,000 in cost to the city.
Upper Leon rates regularly increase with each year under the city’s 60-year contract with the district. The city voted to not increase the base rate last year only carrying the percentage raise to amounts over the base. Council member expressed a desire to be responsible to taxpayers but noted it wouldn’t be sustainable for the city to routinely absorb increases. Councilmembers voted unanimously to pass a 2.446 percent increase to customers instead of the full amount. This will translate to an increase in the base water charge from $53.43 to $54.74 per month.
The council also approved the 2024 drought contingency and water conservation plan, setting protocols if the Brazos River Authority determines our area is in a drought watch. Minor reported the previous document had some outdated terminology and they refined violations under Stage 3 and 4 drought restrictions.
Carmen Andersen and several members of Revitalize Dublin were in attendance with Anderson reporting the group has raised more than $10,000 after a successful fundraiser. Andersen said the groups bylaws state that 60 percent of budget has to be spent in projects beautifying downtown.
The group is currently looking for suggestions on projects that are permanent and can be maintained and reached for a partnership with the city in building up the downtown area. Ideas can be emailed to revitalizedublin@gmail. com.
She said once they get a few viable ideas for the roughly $8,000 committed to downtown, they will seek public input from the town on which option to pursue.
BMY auditor Jeremy Shell reported the city in good financial shape after providing an unqualified opinion on the 2022 and 2023 audits. Shell also commended Kim Seider, who helped a lot with the finances on the city side.
Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray presented a request to solicit bids for junk metal/scrap metal work resulting from the recent seizure of junk vehicles for violating city code. Ray reported that 20 of the vehicles were released back to owners after they repaid the city for towing fees and storage with promises that the vehicles would not return within the city limits in current condition. The repayments helped cover the total towing costs incurred by the city in the seizure. The bid will be for handling nine junk vehicles and vehicle parts. Council approved the seeking of bids and allowing Ray to handle the decision.
Council also approved the acceptance of low mileage police vehicle donated by Tarleton Police who were not using it. Ray said it will take less than $3,000 to get the vehicle branded and on the road.
The council also voted to establish a Single Family-1B district Single Family 1B (SF-1B) district or ‘dense family’ allowing for a 3,000 square foot lot instead of the current 7,000 square foot minimum. They also voted to accept Curative as the health provider for city employees, saying that the provider recommended by Higginbotham, an healthcare insurance broker working with the city, will be cheaper with better benefits for staff provided they take a introductory virtual visit.