Rockwall County —
Rockwall County commissioners’ plans to vote on several budget items this week were changed due to what County Judge Chris Florence termed a “publishing error.”
After the brief explanation, Florance announced a new date — Sept. 14 — for commissioners to consider setting compensation for elected officials, adopting the current draft budget for fiscal year 2010-11 and setting the tax rate.
The “publishing error” involved a legal notice that is required to be published before commissioners vote on the budget.
Even though action was delayed, commissioners did hear from one resident who came to make remarks about the budget during a scheduled public hearing.
Robert Hill’s comments focused on what he called “discretionary spending” in the proposed budget. He said commissioners should consider delaying discretionary spending.
“Adding to my tax burden during a time of recession, a time where houses are being foreclosed and where there are no jobs is not the right thing to do,” he told commissioners.
He suggested that commissioners sit down with the budget, find areas where discretionary spending could be delayed and cut budgets.
“I would suggest to you that publishing a newspaper article that says we’re going to back-door this and figure out what the tax rate needs to be in order to get the same amount of money is not the right way to do it,” he said.
“As times change and economic conditions change, you need to change with it,” Hill added later. “You need to cut budgets and you need to consider that that’s what your constituents want you to do.”
Early this month, commissioners set a proposed tax rate — the effective tax rate of 38.64 cents per $100 assessed value — for the county’s 2010-11 fiscal year. The county’s current tax rate is 37.50 cents per $100 valuation.
The effective tax rate is a calculated rate that would provide the county with the same amount of revenue it received in the year before on properties taxed in both years.
The proposed budget lists about $27.2 million in expected expenses and approximately $24.4 million in projected revenue.
Local News
‘Publishing error’ delays action on budget, tax rate
- Local News
-
-
RISD student athletes ink national letters
Nineteen student/athletes from Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath took advantage of National Signing Day last Wednesday to ink Letters of Intent to continue their education and athletic careers at the college level.
-
City studying one-way traffic flow plan for service roads
City officials are working on a traffic flow plan that will be implemented when construction on the Interstate 30-Erby Campbell Boulevard interchange begins and traffic on the service roads become one-way.
-
SLIDESHOW: Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI
The New York Giants won their fourth NFL championship Sunday in Indianapolis, scoring in the final minute to defeat New England 21-17.
-
Commissioners move toward new justice software
The commissioners used a workshop meeting this week to look at the integration of the new county software justice system and the county’s strategic plan.
-
Water restrictions likely to worsen
This past year was the driest 12-month period in Texas history. Although recent rains and cooler temperatures have offered some temporary relief, water supplies have been down and have not yet been replenished. The drought is predicted to continue through mid-summer. These projections make it critical that the region prepare for water shortages.
-
Mayor gives residents the ‘big vision’ during ‘State of Fate’ meeting
Mayor Bill Broderick’s message to about 70 residents during his annual “State of Fate” town hall meeting this week involved details of a “big vision” and his belief that within three years, they won’t know their town as they know it today.
Midway through his presentation, Broderick provided a summary of planned projects and developments. -
Deputy saves women in daring rescue
The two young women who are alive today because of the heroic action of Rockwall County Sheriff’s Deputy Keven Rowan were on hand to make a presentation of their own Wednesday during a breakfast meeting of the North Texas Crime Commission.
-
Ratcliffe will not look to continue being mayor of Heath
Heath Mayor John Ratcliffe announced that he will not seek re-election after his fourth term ends in May.
-
Elm Street becomes war zone for movie filming
There were some light moments in the war zone on Royse City’s Elm Street Saturday morning.
-
Court looks at justice integration
The commissioners, after taking a week off from their typical workshop session, came back in force discussing items such as the integration of county justice system software and whether to spend more money on construction at the new courthouse.
- More Local News Headlines
-
RISD student athletes ink national letters
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
