HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 0205 min:The City Council met on .February 5, 2004 at the Plainview COnvention Center, 2902
West 4t' Street, Plainview, Texas. The agenda for this meeting was posted in City Hall
at 11:15 a.m. on February 2, 2004. Mayor Pro Tem Mary Jane Shanes presided.
Councilmembers present were: Kelvin Tipton-District 1, Belinda Pena-District 3, John
N. Bertsch-District 4, Ross Owen-District 5, Buddy McGehee-District 6 and Irene Favila-
District 7. Mayor AnderSon was absent.
Staff members present were: Greg Ingham-City Manager, Wally Hatch-City
Attorney, John Castro-Director of Community Services, Brice Clements-Assistant
Director of Public Works/Engineer, John Berry-Director of Public Works, Will Mull-Police
Chief, Jack Keller-Budget Manager and Belinda Hinojosa-City Secretary.
News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald
Guests present: were: Steve Hurt and Ron Trusler
Ron Trusler delivered the Invocation.
Mayor Anderson was granted an excused absence.
The Council and staff reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of February 10,
2004.
Greg Ingham, City Manager discussed limiting increases of ad valorem taxes on
residence homesteads for elderly and disabled persons. In the 78th Session of the
Legislature, House Bill 136 was passed. The law allows a county, city, or junior college
district to limit taxes for homeowners who are either age 65 or older, or disabled.
· It provides for a tax ceiling for disabled and age 65 and older homeowners
· It provides their right to transfer the benefit to another homestead in the taxing
unit
· It provides for their surviving spouse age 55 or older to retain the tax ceiling
Once a taxing unit grants the limitation, it may not repeal or rescind the limitation.
Councilmember McGehee stated that this is the same as in effect for school districts. If
an ordinance limiting the increases were passed, such would not be effect until 2005
and would not cost the City anything. It would lock in the value so long as the property
was not modified. The City of Lubbock has passed an ordinance limiting increases of
ad valorem taxes.
Steve Hurt stated he had asked Plainview Independent School District what effect such
had had on revenue. He was advised that such had made a negligible difference for the
school district.
Councilmember Bertsch stated he would like to have a report or spreadsheet on what
effects such would have. Also, would like to know what percentage of disability is
required to receive the exemption.
253
City of Plainview Minutes February 5, 2004 Page I of 2
254
Jack Keller, Budget Manager advised that numbers for property valuation are up one-'
third for the laSt ten years. Property owners who qualified for the over 65 deduction are
a little over 1,400 and if you add in the disabled it could rise to around 1,500 property
owners Who qualify for the deduction.
Mr. Ingham stated that Jack and he Would crunch some numbers and get back tOthe
Council.
There being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Shanes adjourned the meeting at
11:55 a.m.
Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
City of Plainview Minutes
February 5, 2004 Page 2 of 2