As budgets continue to be sorted out for taxing entities, the Levelland City Council proposed a tax rate ceiling of $0.55000 while the group moves forward in the process of approving a budget and tax rate for the next fiscal year.
City Manager James Fisher presented the item to the council and provided a brief timeline of the events leading up to the meeting along with what the future timeline looks like to get both the budget and tax rate approved.
When proposing a ceiling for the tax rate, that means the council cannot suggest a rate bigger than that number originally proposed as the ceiling as it was agreed upon the council.
After discussion was held between the council, the ceiling was set with the number being $0.55000 resulting in the Voter-Approval Tax Rate not bein on the table. The Voter-Approval Tax Rate is set at $0.55570.
The Voter-Approval Tax Rate would produce 3.5% more tax revenue than what was produced this past year. If a taxing entity adopts a tax rate greater than the Voter-Approval Tax Rate, the tax rate must be approved by the voters by holding an election. However, for municipalities under 30,000 in population this rate is the highest tax rate that may be adopted without holding an election to seek voter approval of the rate unless the De Minimis tax rate exceeds the rate.
The No-New-Revenue Tax Rate is listed at $0.51924, which is the rate that approximately would produce the same amount of taxes this year if applied to the same properties that were taxed last year.
Moving forward, a public hearing was held on the building and construction permit and inspection fees. The group also considered the approval of Ordinance 1081 regarding building inspection fees with a first reading.
During the last legislative session, H.B. 1922 was passed and became effective on Jan. 1. This bill required the council to hold a public hearing and vote to reauthorize any city fee charged as condition of constructing, renovating or remodeling a residential or commercial structure at least once every 10 years.
Under the bill, if a city fails to do so by the 10th anniversary of the fee being adopted or reauthorized, the fee will be automatically abolished by law. The last revision of the building and construction permit, inspection fees was in 2017 m with a majority in 2010.
It was explained to council that city staff conducted a review of several cities regarding their fees. The council would approve the ordinance and a first reading was conducted of said ordinance.
The council considered Resolution No. 2024-24 approving an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the closing of two blocks of state highway for the “Falling for the Wallace” Festival.
The Wallace Theater in conjunction with the Levelland Main Street Program will be hosting between 300-500 guests, inside the road closure of Avenue H and Houston to Avenue H and 5th Street.
It was explained that the event is an opportunity to establish an annual event that showcases local organizations, artists and downtown businesses. The festival will take place around the square of the courthouse and will feature local vendors, food trucks and an art gallery in the Brasch Mitchell Building. The street closures will bee from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The council approved the resolution and also voiced their support of the event.
The group also heard an additional resolution regarding an agreement with TxDOT and the closure of two blocks of state highway for the Levelland Sip and Swirl event.
This year, the Main Street Program will be holding their sixth annual Levelland Sip and Swirl event in downtown Levelland.
The event includes multiple wineries, food vendors, shopping, music, a VIP pre-event, craft beer, etc., and is a fundraiser for the programs downtown projects.
Considered two actions due to the event incorporating alcohol, all events where alcohol is distributed requires approval from the council in accordance with the special events ordinance adopted by council a few years ago.
The council would approve the event application for the overall event and also approve the resolution regarding the agreement with TxDOT.