Texas side will hold four hearings

Gas rate, property tax increases; city budget; developer contract all open for discussion Monday

Four public hearings are the highlights of the Texarkana, Texas, City Council’s regular meeting Monday.

Residents can comment on whether the council should approve CenterPoint Energy’s proposed increase in natural gas rates, a higher property tax rate for fiscal year 2018, the new city budget and a contract extension for Economic Developer Jerry Sparks.

The council will conduct a public hearing on CenterPoint’s proposed new rates and then vote whether to grant them.

The increase would apply to customers in both Texarkanas and Nash, Redwater and Wake Village in Texas. An average Texarkana, Texas, residential customer’s gas bill would go up about $7.27 a month, according to the company’s official Statement of Intent to Increase Rates.

Two related hearings concern the higher property tax. The rate would increase from $.70 to $.74, generating more than $885,000. The new rate would mean $40 more a year in property taxes per $100,000 in home value.

The fourth hearing concerns extending Sparks’ contract beyond its Sept. 30 expiration date. Sparks has announced his intention to retire but would continue to work part-time to assist his replacement transition into the position.

The council will hear second briefings and could vote on three other matters: giving the city manager more discretion in reducing or releasing property liens; approving the fiscal year 2018 budget; and officially adopting collective bargaining for firefighters.

The meeting includes an open forum during which members of the public may address the council on any subject for up to five minutes each.

The full agenda and supporting documents are available on the city’s website at texarkanacitytx.iqm2.com/ Citizens/Default.aspx.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 220 Texas Blvd.