City OKs budget, tax rate

The City of Cameron approved the 2017-18 budget and tax rate during its meeting Sept. 18.

This budget $3,460,862 budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by an amount of $25,012, which is a 1.81 percent increase from last year’s budget. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $15,557.24. 

The approved tax rate is .7640 cents, which is the same as the previous year.

The council also set a date for nominations and appointment for the Ward 3 council seat. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. The council will appoint someone to the seat during its meeting on Oct. 2.

City Manager Rhett Parker said there has been interest from three residents for the seat: Richard Darst, Will Sanders and Kyle Deal.

Council also set the same stipulations to fill a seat on the Cameron Economic Development Corporation after a decision by the city attorney said that the bylaws for the CEDC state that CEDC members must reside in the city.

Jennifer Kostroun was appointed to the position by the council during the Sept. 5 meeting, but cannot serve in that position due to the bylaws. Nominations will be accepted at city hall for the position until 4 p.m. Sept. 28. Someone will be appointed during the meeting on Oct. 2.

In other business council also: held public hearings on the budget and tax rate at which no residents commented; approved a request from MVP/FCA’s 5th Quarter event on Oct. 6 to close Travis Street near First United Methodist Church, and approved The Cameron Herald as the official newspaper of the City of Cameron.