Council Proposes Lower Tax Rate

The Quinlan City Council called a special meeting on September 4, to hold a public hearing on the proposed property tax rate for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Last year the tax rate was .654100 per $100 of property valuation. If the proposed rate passes, there will be a total drop of .1041/$100, making the proposed rate .550000/$100. The new tax rate will go into effect on October 1.

City consultant Billy Green attributed the tax decrease to the amount of commercial growth that occurred in Quinlan over the past year, bringing increased revenue to the city.

When asked if the decrease in taxes will force the city to sacrifice any public services, Green replied that it would not, noting that the budget allows for one new police officer and one new public works employee.

The council also unanimously passed a plan to have a new waterline placed along the length of Elm Street, titled the Northside Drive and North Elm Street Water Line Improvements Project. Green explains that this project came about in response to complaints from the community regarding the water quality in the area.

Green said the project will consist of replacing "a two inch galvanized line with a new plastic line" resulting in cleaner water. The company that was awarded the contract to replace the waterline is Double R Utilities, Inc. out of Royse City for the amount of $61,865.

Green estimates that construction will begin within two to three weeks and will last approximately three to four weeks.

In addition, the council passed Resolution No. 3054-000 appointing the chief of police Johnny Thornburg as the enforcement official of Chapter 3 Section 7 of the city’s Code of Ordinances.

This ordinance deals with "unsecured unoccupied buildings and dangerous buildings," and functions to have the problems with these buildings taken care of or to have the buildings removed altogether. The ordinance was passed on September 8, 2003.

When asked why this issue has come under consideration at this time, Green responded that the move to appoint chief Thornburg as the enforcement official was instigated by community complaints surrounding structures in the city that are considered to be eyesores.