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Crockett council adopts proposed 'no new revenue' tax rate and moves draft FY24–25 budget to public notice
Summary
Council reviewed the draft FY24–25 operations budget with proposed COLA, an animal‑shelter budget line, street maintenance increases and one firefighter position, and voted to adopt a proposed no‑new‑revenue tax rate for public notice and hearings.
Crockett City Council moved its draft fiscal 2024–25 operations budget forward and adopted a proposed no‑new‑revenue tax rate to be published for public hearing. City staff presented a balanced draft budget that includes a recommended 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment (75¢ flat), a $75,000 animal‑shelter operating line, one additional firefighter, modest garbage‑rate changes and an increase in street‑maintenance funding to address rising construction costs.
Staff explained Texas rate terminology: because average property values rose, maintaining last year’s revenue requires lowering the rate to a 'no new revenue' rate; collecting more than 3.5% of additional revenue would require voter approval. The staff presentation showed the difference between the household impact at the voter‑approval rate and the no‑new‑revenue rate was roughly $20 annually for an average homestead.
Council debated tradeoffs — trimming the shelter appropriation, lowering the COLA to 2%, shaving line items, or using outside funding such as Emergency Services District reimbursements — and directed staff to present alternatives. After discussing options, a council member moved to adopt the proposed no‑new‑revenue tax rate as the city's proposed rate for public notice; the motion carried and staff will publish the proposed rate and schedule public hearings before a final adoption vote.
What happens next: the proposed rate and draft budget will be posted for public comment and published in the newspaper; a public hearing is scheduled (staff cited an August 19 public hearing date) and the council may make final adjustments before adopting the budget and tax rate.
