City Council approves budget, tax rate, and homestead exemption

Amendments to City Code regarding ‘Administration’ approved unanimously

City Council members gathered Tuesday for a regular meeting to discuss the upcoming fiscal year budget, tax rate amendments to

City Code, and other routine agenda items.

A public hearing surrounding the annual budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 opened the meeting on Tuesday afternoon at City Council. However, there were no public comments during the public hearing segment. With no public comments to be heard, council members moved into the agenda which was completed within a couple of hours.

The council voted unanimously to pass the first reading of an ordinance adopting an annual budget for the City of Big Spring for the Fiscal Year beginning Oct. 1, 2020 and ending Sept. 30, 2021.

In keeping with budget discussion, the Council addressed the fixing and levying of ad valorem taxes for Big Spring for the Year 2020 in a first reading of an ordinance. The council discussed the ad valorem tax at $0.601130 on each $100 valuation. The M&O rate was set at $0.601130 with the principal and interest rate of $0.116170 for a total tax rate of $0.717300. After discussion, the Council voted 7 to 0 to pass the first reading. Council members also discussed and approved the first reading of an ordinance adopting the annual budget for the city of Big Spring with an unanimous vote. In addition, council members - except for the Mayor - accepted in a 6 to 1 vote an additional 20% penalty to defray costs of collecting delinquent taxes that remain delinquent on July 1 of the year in which they become delinquent. In a way to offset some of the hardship presented this past year, the Council also looked at a first reading of an ordinance granting a partial residence homestead exemption for Tax Year 2020 and granting a partial residence homestead exemption to any individual who is disabled or age 65 or older. The council voted to approve 7 to 0.

As part of the City Manager

report, Todd Darden provided an update on the large item pick up which recently took place for District 2. According to Darden there were 16 tons collected. The next Large Item Pick up is set for Sept. 16 in District 3. Darden also reminded the Council members of the Port-to-Plains virtual feasibility study that took place on Tuesday and will be taking place again on Wednesday at 4 p.m. According to Darden, reminders for the Census 2020 were included in the recent round of water bills and he once again encouraged residents to take part in the Census, as the deadline approaches.

“We are in the final stages of the Census and still down in numbers. This goes through October 31. So, if you have not completed your form,