Webster City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3, with Floyd Myers, Diana Newland and Alexandra Dietrich opposed, to adopt a total property tax rate of $0.28528 per $100 valuation for 2012.
The city council voted separately on both of the portions that make up the total rate, voting 6-1, with Myers opposed, to adopt a maintenance and operations tax rate of $0.15615 per $100 valuation. That portion of the tax rate will fund the general operating expenses of the city.
The city council voted unanimously to adopt a debt service tax rate of $0.12913 per $100 valuation. Revenues from that portion of the tax rate will fund payments on the city’s bonded indebtedness.
The rate is the same as 2011, and is less than both the effective tax rate, which the city would need to adopt to levy tax revenues equal to the previous fiscal year, and the rollback rate. However, the average value of a residence increased from $80,198 in FY2012 to $84,666 for this year. An average home will pay $241.54 in property taxes this year, versus $228.79 the previous year.
While average home values increased, the city saw a decline in overall property values during the year.
“The value of existing property actually declined $42,903,638, or 3.2 percent, from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2012,” Finance Director Michael Rodgers said. “However, this was partially offset by a $19,199,495 increase attributable to new property.”
The city council voted 3-4, with only Dietrich, Mel Donehue and Natalie Dolan voting in favor, to deny a motion to adopt mobile food truck regulations.
A public hearing was held prior to consideration of the item, with no members of the public stepping forward to make comments on the proposed regulations.
“This matter came to city staff’s attention when it was revealed that a mobile food truck was contracting with a local night club to provide food to patrons during early morning hours,” City Planner Evan DuVall said. “Subsequently, staff drafted some amendments to the Zoning Ordinance in order to regulate the use of mobile food trucks. The purpose of these amendments is to allow mobile food trucks, while protecting the public interest and health of the patrons and residents within the City of Webster.”
The proposed regulations provided restrictions on both locations and hours of operation, required health inspections, permits, and documentation.
The city council voted 6-1, with Myers opposed, to authorize the purchase of ten replacement vehicles for the Webster Police Department.
The city council voted 6-1, with Myers opposed, to authorize the purchase of ten mobile radios from Motorola Solutions. The radios will be used by the police department.
The city council voted 4-3, with Myers, Newland and Dietrich opposed, to adopt a resolution in support of an application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a Municipal Setting Designation at the Clear Lake City Industrial Park.
The site, located at 900-910 Gemini Avenue, totals 5.5 acres and is being considered for a Municipal Setting Designation due to contamination from trichloroethylene.
The setting will prohibit groundwater use at the site for human consumption or drinking, showering or bathing, cooking, and for irrigation of crops for human consumption.
The city council voted 6-1, with Myers opposed, to authorize the purchase of two replacement duty vehicles for the Webster Fire Department.
The city council received a report regarding the proposed installation of a GPS Opticom system to allow for emergency vehicles to have right-of-way at traffic light intersections. No action was taken on the item. Staff members will continue to review the item.
The GPS Opticom system would replace the city’s current infrared system and allow emergency vehicles to pre-empt traffic signals and allow faster response times.
The city council met in executive session to consult with the city attorney regarding potential litigation. No action was taken following the closed session.
All other items were approved by unanimous vote. All members were present. Agenda