At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Clifford expressed concern that, while the city’s tax rate is to remain the same, increased property values would actually mean a tax increase for residents.
After seeing tax increases over the past several years, he said he had no interest in presiding over another.
Interim City Manager Gene Anderson answered many questions regarding budgeted spending for the next fiscal year versus actual spending for the past fiscal year.
Most of these discrepancies were revealed to be due to understaffed departments within the City.
Other options considered by Council included leasing equipment instead of purchasing, and reverting back to last years budget in an effort to stay revenue-neutral.
During the public hearing, citizens expressed concerns about another tax increase but also cautioned about cutting too much too quickly.
It was also suggested that the City should look at generating additional revenue with an Annexation Plan.
It was estimated that the City would have to cut $500,000 from the budget to remain revenue neutral.
Both Mayor Clifford and Mayor Pro-Tem Portugal suggested that if taxes were increased, they’d rather it be for important projects such as the new Downtown Plan.
In the end, Interim City Manager Gene Anderson was instructed to cut wherever possible and bring back a revised budget.
Special to myparistexas.com
