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Pampa staff outline tax-rate process and deadlines as budget work continues
Summary
A staff presenter explained the 'no new revenue' rate, the voter‑approval rate (3.5% above no‑new‑revenue) and comptroller deadlines tied to the budget process; the city is aiming not to exceed the voter‑approval rate and must meet charter and state filing dates.
A staff member led commissioners through the mechanics of setting property‑tax rates and the calendar for complying with state and local requirements.
The presenter said the "no new revenue" tax rate is calculated to produce the same total revenue as the prior year after removing new improvements and appeals from the certified appraised values. The "voter approval" rate, she said, is generally 3.5% above that no‑new‑revenue rate and triggers different public‑notice and election requirements if a city proposes a higher rate. "This is for property taxes on based on the assessed certified values of our property taxes," the presenter said when describing the calculations.
Staff outlined key deadlines from guidance issued by the state comptroller and advice from the Texas Municipal League; local charter requirements for two ordinance readings also affect the city’s internal calendar. The presenter noted the interplay with exemptions such as the 65-and-older tax freeze and said staff will present options and recommended rates for commission consideration as part of the budget process.
The presentation was technical and procedural; commissioners did not vote on any tax rate at the meeting but will consider proposed rates consistent with the notice and ordinance-reading timetable required by state law and by the city charter.
