Ten candidates, no-new-revenue tax rate on Nov. 5 ballot for local Copperas Cove elections

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

Early voting starts next week for the Nov. 5 election, for Places 1 and 2 on the Copperas Cove Independent School District board of trustees and the Copperas Cove city council. The position of mayor is also on the ballot, but incumbent Mayor Dan Yancey is running unopposed. 

Places 1 and 2 on the Copperas Cove city council will see two new faces after the Nov. 5 election, as incumbents Joann Courtland and Fred Chavez are term limited. 

For Place 1, the candidates are Howard Hawk and Christina Strohfus; Place 2 candidates are George Duncan, Victor Hall II, and Rita Hogan. In the event that a Place 2 candidate does not receive a 50-percent-plus-one majority, there would be a runoff election for Place 2. This would take place after canvassing of the Nov. 5 election results and the runoff election would be called by the city council. 

The Copperas Cove ISD board of trustees candidates for Place 1 include Inez Faison (incumbent) and Sherry Hoffpauir; candidates for Place 2 include S. Ann Davis (incumbent) and Timothy Traeger. 

This past Saturday, the two school board candidates challenging the incumbents joined forces and held a “Coffee with the Candidates” event at Lil Tex Restaurant, where Sherry Hoffpauir and Timothy Traeger welcomed voters for a time to chat and answer questions. 

There is one more opportunity for voters to meet candidates in person. On Saturday, Oct. 19, there will be a candidate forum starting at 10 a.m., at 1802 MLK Jr. Dr. The event is being held by the Coryell County Republican Women’s Club, and City Council candidates as well as CCISD board of trustees candidates will be in attendance to introduce themselves and give timed answers to a series of questions. 

No-new-revenue tax rate election

Also on the Nov. 5 ballot is what’s called the “no-new-revenue tax rate election” which is being held by the City of Copperas Cove. 

On Aug. 19, the city council adopted a tax rate of $0.661043 per $100 valuation, which is the “no-new-revenue” tax rate. Because this is a higher rate than the voter approval tax rate of $0.608079 per $100 valuation, per state law, this must be put to Copperas Cove voters for approval.

If the rate passes in the election, the No New Revenue tax rate would generate $1.1 million more than the Voter Approval tax rate. The city intends to use those funds for higher salaries for police and fire personnel. Passing the new rate would result in an average tax bill increase to homeowners of $8.25 per month.

Should voters say no to the No New Revenue tax rate, the tax rate would go to the Voter Approval tax rate, which would show up on the average tax bill as a decrease of approximately $0.33 per month for homeowners, but the city would be facing a budget deficit for the market rate adjustments for public safety and fire personnel. 

So far, the city has held two information sessions about the election. The city is holding a third town hall on Saturday, Oct. 19, starting at noon at the Copperas Cove Civic Center, where interested voters can learn more information. 

Early voting dates and times 

Early voting begins on Monday, Oct. 21 and will continue through Friday, Nov. 1, with extended voting hours until 7 p.m. on most days to include: 

Monday – Friday, Oct. 21-25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 7a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday-Friday, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Early voting will take place at the Copperas Cove Early Voting Center, 508 B Cove Terrace; and the Gatesville Annex, 800 E. Main St., Ste B, Gatesville TX. 

Early voting for Lampasas County voters will take place at the Lampasas County Annex 1 Conference Room, 409 S. Pecan St., Lampasas, TX.