Vote scheduled for BC tax rate

David Ball - For The Record

The city of Bridge City moved closer to approval of a tax rate for the next fiscal year at their regular meeting on the evening of August 4.

The city council approved scheduling a vote to be held on Tuesday, September 15 to place a proposal to adopt an ad valorem tax rate for the 2015 tax year of $.49920 per $100 valuation. The total tax rate consists of $.22640 for Interest and Sinking Fund and $.27280 for Maintenance and Operation Fund.

There will be a 10.71 percent increase in the effective rate.

Also approved was a public hearing starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18 at city hall to hear and consider public comments regarding the proposed 2015-2016 budget for the city. Likewise, two public hearings are scheduled at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1 at city hall to hear and consider public comments regarding the proposed ad valorem tax rate for the 2015 tax year.

City Manager Jerry Jones reported the file storage building to be built behind city hall will start next week. The police station plans to be built behind RaceTrac filling station are complete and the city is only waiting on the copies to be made.

Pre-bids for additional street work projects will start on August 5 with an award of the bid on August 11.

The additional parts for the splash pad should arrive on August 5. The 12-inch water line on FM 408 plans are nearly complete. Plans for the water tower on FM 408 are nearly complete too.

Councilman Mike Reed asked Jones he was told the Cow Bayou Swing Bridge would be completed by the middle of August. Jones said he was in a boat this weekend and he looked at the bridge. He said he doesn't see how it will be completed by mid August and expects it to take another month.

Councilwoman Tammi Fisette thanked some longtime city employees for their years of service including Bridge City Police Officer Bob Barker who is working his last week with the city.

The council approved an online backflow management system service agreement with Vepo, LLC.

Jones explained a backflow preventer prevents water from flowing backwards and contaminating the water by using check valves and reliefs.

He added there are yearly inspections and if the documentation is not in place, the city could be fined instead of a business.

An interlocal contract with the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission was approved. The contract relates to the planning, development, operation and provision of 9-1-1 service and the use of 9-1-1 funds for a two-year term expiring on August 31, 2017.

Jones said this is a renewal of the present interlocal contract.

Tim Schossow was nominated as a candidate for the board of directors of the Orange County Appraisal District.

Schossow already serves on the board of directors and an election will soon be held.