1998-08-10 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES 7:15PM14
MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON AUGUST 10, 1998, AT 7:15 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Lary Wilkins
William Berger
Richard Tetens
Klaus Seeger
Helen Beckman
Paul Grohman
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Project Coordinator Alan Mueller; Police Chief Mike Hogg; City
Engineer John Hargrove; Grants Director Janet Berry; Planning and Development Director
Dennis Smith; Director of Finance David Castillo; Parks and Recreation Director Ed Hersh;
Director of Administrative Services Mary Hickling; Public Works Director Jerry Burns;
Emergency Management Director David Smith; Purchasing Officer Gordon Island;
Assistant Chief of Police Chris Doyle; Assistant Director of Finance Cindy Soto; Support
Personnel Supervisor Paul Dillon; Water and Sewer Line Maintenance Superintendent
Cecil Bowery; EMS Director Keith Bonner; Solid Waste Code Enforcement Officer Bob
Bratz; Executive Secretary Laurie Harrist; Code Enforcement Officer John Harrist; Water
and Sewer Line Maintenance Supervisor Danny Cameron; Fire Marshal Larry Steed;
Communications Specialist John Knight; Utility Accounts Supervisor Missy Miller; EMS
Secretary Tracy Spires; Project Specialist Ruby Perez.
CALL TO ORDER
PURPOSE OF HEARING - A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE TOTAL TAX REVENUES
FROM PROPERTIES ON THE TAX ROLL IN 1997 BY 0.84 PERCENT.
STAFF REVIEW OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
City Manager Paul Grohman gave an overview of the City's 1998 property tax values and
information on the tax rate. Mr. Grohman stated that the tax rate that is being proposed
is the same as it has been for the last three consecutive years. The proposed tax rate for
1998 is $.695 per $100 of property value.
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CITIZEN COMMENTS
James DeShazer, 2203 Cedar, addressed Council and
for the newly annexed areas and for new construction
thinks that the tax rate should be lowered from $.695
effective tax rate.
COUNCIUSTAFF DISCUSSION
presented tax value information
. Mr. DeShazer stated that he
down to nothing more than the
Mayor Reid stated that one of the interesting figures is that the taxable value of Pearland
is $1.171 million dollars.
City Manger Grohman stated that the tax appraisal information comes from the Brazoria
County Appraisal District. The City does not appraise property.
Councilmember Berger stated that possibly next year we could look at property
exemptions for some certain classes, one being the elderly. Also in future years when
EDC incentives start running out again, we hope to see a reduction in the tax rate. He
further stated that he sees an improvement coming in the future years for the tax rate.
City Manager stated that he concurs. At the current rate it is pretty much a wash
depending on the value of the residents. He further stated that our base value is so
residency inclined.
Councilmember Beckman stated that she agrees with Councilmember Berger. She has
talked to several people who have requested senior citizen or homestead exemptions.
She said she thinks the time to do that is when you are about to lower the tax rate.
Councilmember Beckman stated that is something to plan for.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
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Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 20 day of August , A.D., 1998.
ATTEST:
dvn
Tom eid
Mayor
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