City Council holds public hearing on proposed tax rate of 63 cents

On Tuesday, Aug. 30, the Waxahachie City Council held a public hearing on the proposed tax rate for the fiscal year 2022-2023.

The proposed tax rate is 63 cents, three cents lower than the current rate. Senior director of finance Chad Tustison explained how the proposed rate contains two components: the debt service rate (22.35 cents) and the maintenance and operations rate (40.65 cents). The maintenance and operations rate can be split into two separate components: day-to-day operations including police, fire, parks, maintenance and administration of the city (38.55 cents) and the operations of Nicholas P. Sims Library (.21 cents).

“The rate included in the budget provides for additional funding for operating costs to keep pace with the city’s growth and the cost impacts of inflation to provide the current service that the city is currently providing,” Tustison said. “It’s also to fund and plan for major capital infrastructure needs throughout the city.” Tustison said it was a nine-month process to plan the budget with city staff and the city council.

During the public hearing, Laura Johnson thanked the council for lowering the tax rate but asked the council to consider lowering it even more.

“I, along with many other citizens, would appreciate if y’all lowered the tax rate even more so the overall tax rate would not increase,” Johnson said.

Barry Jacobs said even though his income has stayed the same, his “dollars have shrunk with inflation” over the past year. “I am begging you to not raise our taxes,” Jacobs said. “This is not the time. This is not the year.”

He said he believes the tax rate could be 61 cents instead of the proposed 63 cents.

Council members also offered their thoughts.

“Now is not the time to take it all just because you can,” council member Billie Wallace said. “I would ask my fellow colleagues to lower the tax rate lower than 63 cents and give our Waxahachie families relief.”

“There are things we’re gonna disagree on, but we are listening to you guys,” council member Chris Wright said. “We are trying to do what we can to make it as low as possible.”

The City Council will vote on the proposed tax rate at their next meeting on Sept. 6. Originally published September 1, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/business/city-council-holds-public-hearing-on-proposed-tax-rate-of-63-cents/article_3899b012-2a7a-11ed-9a3f-1be107d63fae.html