Council to vote on tax rate, city budget tonight

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove city council will be meeting this evening at 6 p.m., during which it will be adopting the city’s budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, as well as the tax rate for the fiscal year. 
The council took a record vote to propose a tax rate of 79.7908 cents per $100 valuation, the same rate for the past several years. The council has already had two public hearings on the tax rate, which will have a gross impact to the general fund of $82,438. 
The council is also slated to vote on an amendment to the city’s Fee Schedule, along with the city’s capital outlay plan for fiscal years 2019-2023, the city’s fiscal year 2019 personnel improvement plan, and the fiscal year 2019 capital outlay plan. 
Also among the action items up for a vote this evening include a request by Star Group – Veterans Helping Veterans for a discount of Civic Center fees for its upcoming health fair, an agreement with Coryell Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services training, appointing two individuals to the city’s Subdivision Technical Advisory Committee, filling a vacancy on the city’s Library Advisory Board, filling a vacancy on the Board of Adjustments, as well as making appointments to the city’s Youth Advisory Council.
A bid for clearing and grubbing of The Narrows Business and Technology Park is up for approval by the council this evening, with a bid of $105,905 from 2Chainz already approved by the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation board of directors. The EDC’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2018-2019 is up for a vote by the city council this evening as well. 
An executive session is on the agenda for tonight’s meeting, during which the council will deliberate the offer of an incentive by the EDC to a business prospect called #ED-2018-1 Project 3-Door. The council also has a discussion regarding interim city manager Ryan Haverlah on the agenda for the executive session. 
During the council’s 5 p.m. workshop, the council will hear a presentation by Michael Cleghorn, the Director of Public Works, on the analysis of city water purchases and uses. A discussion will be held on Planning Department fees, and there will also be a discussion regarding the city’s Christmas Extravaganza that is set for Friday, November 30. 
City employees will also be recognized during the workshop for the monthly service awards. 
The workshop and meeting will take place at the city’s Technology Center, located at 508 S. 2nd St.