Council to hold tax rate hearing, workshop tonight

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press 

Tonight the Copperas Cove city council is holding a special meeting tonight for have the first public hearing on the proposed property tax rate for fiscal year 2017-2018. 

The proposed rate is 0.797908 per $100 of taxable assessed value. Another hearing is set for Tuesday, August 22.

Also during the special meeting, the city is bringing a request for upgrades to be made to three of Copperas Cove’s ambulances. The cost is $134,844 to purchase three 2018 Dodge Regular Cab 4500 chassis and a $160,350 contract to refurbish three existing ambulance boxes. Funds will come from the city’s 2017 certificates of obligation bonds and the capital outlay plan includes the cost of refurbishing three ambulances. 

The EDC board is on the agenda for the meeting, for consideration and action on the removal and appointment of a member, or members to the board. Per the agenda information, councilman David Morris requested this item, with fellow councilmembers James Pierce Jr. and George Duncan concurred to Morris’ request. Morris is the city council liaison to the EDC.

Immediately following the special meeting, the council will hold a special workshop, during which it will hear from Robert Ator, director of the Hill Country Transit District, about route changes to the HOP. 

Also, Ryan Haverlah, the city’s budget director/deputy city manager, will give a report on the 85th regular and special legislative sessions, regarding state and federal department regulatory changes. 

After that, the council will also have another discussion with Haverlah about the proposed 2017-2018 budget and plan of municipal services, along with the 2017-2018 through 2019-2020 budget plans.

The meeting and workshop will be held at the Economic Development Corporation building located at 210 S. 1st St.