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Mesquite officials outline tax-rate election to fund police, firefighters and roads
Summary
City Manager Cliff told a large town hall audience that a proposed tax-rate election would raise revenue for additional police, firefighters and accelerated road repairs; council members will hold three town halls and voters will decide in the election.
City Manager Cliff said at a Mesquite town hall that the city is proposing a tax-rate election that would increase the current rate (0.69) to 0.73, and that the extra revenue would fund additional police and firefighters and boost road and alley repairs. “About 60% . . . of the budget is directed at public safety,” he said, explaining that public-safety costs drive much of the spending decisions.
Cliff described the budget calendar (Oct. 1–Sept. 30) and said staff begin developing priorities in January. He said the council has already created a $3,000,000 street-and-alley repair fund using commercial solid-waste revenues and that the proposed budget includes an additional $1,000,000 tied to the tax proposal. “If we can spend $8 to $10,000,000 a year on repairing streets, that catches us up greatly,” he said, adding that a failed election would require the city to revert to the voter‑approved tax rate and cut or delay hiring and programs.
The city manager outlined how road work is prioritized using a consultant-produced assessment that scored segments by condition; about 15% of roads were rated in the worst category and will be repaired first, he said. Cliff also described repair methods, from emergency cold‑mix patches to hot‑mix patches that can last one to two years and full‑depth concrete work that is slower and more costly but intended to last decades.
Economic development figures into the budget picture: Cliff cited Canadian Solar and Hytheum as recent manufacturing arrivals that expand the commercial tax base and bring jobs, which the city hopes will help lower the tax burden on homeowners over time. He said the council will provide more information through brochures, mailers, the city website and three upcoming town halls ahead of early voting.
The city manager emphasized the choice facing voters: if the tax‑rate election fails, officials would need to cut $4 million in expected revenue and make difficult spending decisions. The council has not yet adopted a final budget; Cliff said the figures discussed are proposed and subject to council action. Next steps include the scheduled town halls and the formal tax‑rate election process.
