Horseshoe Bay city council holds tax rate hearing, confronts water issues

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

The Horseshoe Bay City Council faced a long meeting agenda Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 26, tackling items that included new street signs, water weeds, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain study and property taxes.

No citizens spoke out during the first of two mandated public hearings about the city’s proposed property tax rate of $.25 per $100 valuation – the same rate as was in effect this last year.

Another public hearing is set for 9 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2, to give citizens a second chance to air any concerns or opinions.

The city is expected to adopt the proposed budget at its regular meeting at 3 p.m. on Sept. 16.

The proposed budget is available for public review on the city’s website.

The city will start out the next fiscal year with around $3.7 million as its projected general fund balance at the end of September, said Stan Farmer, city manager.

Anticipated expenditures will be $6.3 million in the general fund, $5.7 million in the utility fund and $5.7 million in its capital street improvement fund, Farmer said.

City administration will likely spend every penny of the $200,000 that has been budgeted for new street signs. All streets with residences will see new signage, Farmer said, adding that the project will start in the fall and is expected to last nine months.

Two types of signs will be used in different parts of the city. Both types are durable, safe and reflective, Farmer said. Most of the city will get decorative powder-coated signs, while the Horseshoe Bay South area, which includes many manufactured homes, will get a “standard” sign that is less decorative.

The city will be installing 434 decorative signs and 78 standard signs, at a cost of an average of $491 and $262, respectively.

For the full story, see Friday's Highlander.