City Council votes to lower tax rate for Rockwall residents for fourth year in a row

(ROCKWALL, TX – Sept. 19, 2017) At their regular meeting last night, the Rockwall City Council voted to decrease taxes more than three cents, making this the fourth straight year to implement a decrease. The 2016 rate was the lowest since 2008, and this year’s rate goes below that. In the vote, the Council adopted a balanced budget and a 3.07 cent decrease in the tax rate.

The City Council directed staff to prepare a balanced budget based on the effective tax rate, which allows the City to collect the same amount in taxes as the year before. The new tax rate of 42.36 cents per $100 of valuation is down from the 45.43 cents adopted in the 2016-17 fiscal year budget.

Some of the highlights of the 2017-2018 budget include:

• General Operating Budget of $32.7 million
• Total assessed value of $5.2 billion
• One new traffic officer in the Police Department
• One new Public Works employee
• Funding for a new Fire Explorer program in the Fire Department
• $1.4 million for street maintenance and repairs

“The City Council had to make some tough decisions this year about what could be funded and what couldn’t,” said Rockwall Mayor, Jim Pruitt. “I think City Manager Rick Crowley has done a good job balancing the needs of maintaining a high standard of City services, while being mindful of how the budget impacts our residents.”

The new budget reflects the City Council’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, while continuing to address important services such as public safety, parks and recreation, street repair and maintenance, as well as water and waste water services. The City’s fiscal year for 2018 begins on October 1.

Submitted press release by Lauri Dodd, Public Information Officer, City of Rockwall. 

Our monthly print edition is delivered free to 19,000+ homes in Rockwall and Heath, TX.

To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.

Subscribe to our email newsletter here.

Advertising: 214-342-8000 or advertising@BlueRibbonNews.com.

  city of rockwall, taxes