The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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July 27, 2009

County looks at tax increase in 2009-10 budget

By Christi Laney

HUNTSVILLE — After hearing final presentations for funding requests, the Walker County Commissioners Court listened to a report from the Walker County Appraisal District and discussed a tax rate increase to cover the cost of the 2009-10 budget at the courthouse on Monday.

While none of the commissioners appeared keen on the idea of raising taxes, the need to raise enough money to cover the costs in the proposed 2009-2010 budget pushed the court to take action or risk cutting funding to several programs, including the Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter and the Senior Center of Walker County.

“We’ve only got so much money, so we’re going to have to make up our minds about if we’re going to raise taxes, if any of us want to raise taxes,” Precinct 1 Commissioner B.J. Gaines Jr. said. “Last year, we worked hard to keep that (property tax) rate as low as we possibly could. We have to fund a certain amount of stuff and we have to keep the county running.”

To meet the proposed budget requirements in the upcoming fiscal year, the court discussed raising the effective tax rate, or property tax rate, of 55.7 cents per $100 valuation by 2 cents to 57.7 cents per $100 valuation.

According to Raymond Kiser, chief appraiser of the Walker County Appraisal District, the Huntsville area has experienced the impact of a weak economy on the housing market, yet the damage has been minimal compared to other parts of the country.

While some homes have been foreclosed on, Kiser said, the trend of selling the homes at a much lower value hasn’t been the case in Walker County with foreclosed homes going for higher prices than average foreclosure prices.

“What we’re seeing here, the few foreclosures, because of supply and demand, are bringing in a (price) level that does not lower the value,” Kiser said.

The Commissioners Court will host at least one public hearing to discuss the budget and possible tax rate increase before the Sept. 1 deadline.

During their meeting on Monday, the court also discussed a 2 percent pay raise for all county employees and an additional $680 per year to help cover the cost of an increase in healthcare costs.

There are currently 232 people employed by Walker County.

In other action, the court:

• Approved, minutes for July 21, 2009, with corrections.

• Approved Sheriff Clint McRae’s bond.

• Approved county health insurance renewal.

• Approved April through June investment reports from Sharon Duke.

• Approved claims/invoices submitted for payment.

• Approved budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2009.

• Approved procedural changes to the Walker County Purchasing Rules and Procedures, Section V, adopting a state-mandated change for formal bids to include only those exceeding $50,000 instead of those exceeding $25,000.

• Approved Interlocal Agreement for Cooperative Purchasing for Actuarial Shared Services with the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

• Approved the awarding of Project #C2360-9-006 to Ward Furniture and Flooring for flooring for the Walker County H.E.A.R.T.S. Veteran’s Museum of Texas in the amount of $45,026.24 for the project to be completed in 15 days.

• Approved Child Welfare Services Contract, non-financial.

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