Property tax rates are coming down and sewer rates moving upward following action Monday by the Houston City Council.
The city’s tax rate for fall bills will decrease 9.1 percent to offset any rise in property valuations following a county reassessment project and a state order that required the county to reflect its figures to market reality.
As part of an effort to construct a new wastewater treatment plant, Houston’s sewer rates will increase with the Sept. 15 reading.
Voters in the City of Houston passed two issues earlier this year that will allow for the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility to meet federal and state guidelines.
Houston voters approved a $3.5 million bond issue and an extension of a quarter-cent sales tax.
Half of the proceeds will be used to retire the debt. The balance will come from the increase in sewer fees. The city also expects to receive a $500,000 grant for the work, which will replace a more than 30-year-old facility.
In other matters, members:
-Purchased $21,952 worth of fire hydrants for use as replacement stock and new settings.
-Heard from Jim Root, parks and recreation director, concerning the activities under way by his department. Root and the park board received praise for their efforts. Work on the drawing board includes obtaining grant funding for replacement of filters at the municipal swimming pool.
-Learned that implementation of a city vehicle gas credit card program has been completed. It offers the city a 2 percent rebate and ease on accounting.
-Heard that work is under way to clear acreage that will be home to Houston’s newest subdivision. The Friend family of Licking plans to build duplexes on the property, which was previously owned by the Nichols family. According to a plat, there are 20 lots on the eight-acre parcel.