Council Approves New Budget / Adopts Tax Rate
(Rockwall) October 1, 2012 – The City Council recently approved a $26.2 million budget for fiscal year 2012-2013, which begins on October 1, 2012. The spending plan includes the addition of four police officers and two firefighters as well as an additional $150,000 for street maintenance and repairs.
Assistant City Manager and Finance Director, Mary Smith told the Council the budget will include more total revenue than last year’s budget due to new property added to the tax roll over the previous year. As part of the approval process, Council also adopted a property tax rate of 50.25 cents per $100 valuation, a slight reduction from last year’s rate of 50.31 cents.
“I’m pleased with the budget the City Council adopted,” said Mayor David Sweet. “The budget addresses the needs of the City to serve its customers and reinforces the Council’s core commitment to public safety. The Council also included additional funds to maintain city streets, an investment that positively impacts those that live, work, and play in Rockwall.”
Rockwall Selects Preferred Route for SH 66
The Rockwall City Council adopted a resolution selecting the locally preferred alignment for SH 66, east of SH 205 to FM 3549. The City held a special meeting in January 2012 to discuss the alignment. Since then, City officials have worked with a consultant for the project and the major property owners east of Harry Myers Park on the proposed alignment. Advanced planning is being funded by the Rockwall County Road Consortium of which the City is a member.
Based on funding sources, other public hearings to receive input, and right-of-way acquisition, start of construction is several years away, according to City Engineer Chuck Todd. Since the project is only in the planning stage, there is no established schedule or funding for the project.
Legislative Agenda for 2013 Outlined
The Rockwall City Council recently approved a Legislative Agenda of issues to track and work to either support or defeat legislation that impacts Rockwall residents. Passage of legislation that will allow the City of Rockwall the right to acquire and serve the Lake Rockwall Estates neighborhood is the top priority of the City in the 83rd Session of the Texas Legislature.
Assistant City Manager Brad Griggs said passage of the bill would allow the city to better serve Lake Rockwall Estates with water and sewer service at a much lower cost than what they pay now. The issues approved by the Council involve, but are not limited to: funds for public safety, annexation and development, local park grants, grafitti abatement, and funding for roadways and transportation.
The 83rd Session of the Texas Legislature will begin in January of 2013. There will likely be more issues that come to the forefront as the session approaches. The City will work with State officials on the issues that are important to Rockwall.
Shared by Joey Boyd, Director of Internal Operations.
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