Posted: 12/15/04
By Clark Natalie
Harris residents will get a smaller tax bill than they expected. When the Harris City Council reconvened on Dec. 9 the main item on the agenda was the Truth in Taxation public hearing. The proposed tax levy was $270,000.
This was 60 percent of the expected income in 2005. After reviewing the 2004 budget and the actual income and expenses, the Council decided to lower the levy by $20,000 to $250,000. Even at this amount, the Council feels it can increase the reserve by $35,000, working toward the recommended reserve of 50 percent of the budget. The recommended reserve is set at this amount because the income for the City comes in, in two installments, the first getting to them from the County in July. With a 50 percent reserve, they can operate until their income arrives.
It was noted that the State increased Harrisí LGA from $82,000 in 2004 to $98,000 in 2005.
The council then recessed the meeting until 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec.16, when they will hold a public hearing on the Sunday liquor license. This public hearing is required before the ordinance to allow Sunday liquor is enacted. Sunday Liquor was voted in by the populace of Harris Nov. 2.
After the meeting was recessed, the council went into a work session with the current council members, those that will be coming on in January, and the advisors and employers of the city of Harris.
The current council members brought those that will be starting up to speed on a number of issues. The many developments that are in progress or pending were reviewed.
The two main topics were the sewer facility plan and the water plan. Both of these topics were discussed at length, and the proposed time lines laid out.
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