City Council leans toward holding tax rate steady

    The Clear Lake City Council indicated it is leaning toward keeping its tax rate the same in the upcoming fiscal year.
    Last week City Administrator Scott Flory presented the Council with two options to consider concerning the city’s fiscal year 2013 tax rate: keep the tax rate the same ($10.54 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation) or drop it slightly ($10.36).

    At its workshop session Monday, the Council directed Flory to proceed with a presentation based on the existing rate for discussion at upcoming regular Council meetings.  While no vote could be taken at the informal workshop, Council members told Flory they supported the idea of keeping the rate the same and banking the unused portion of the taxes collected to fund a major renovation of City Hall.
    No formal renovation plan has yet been developed, but the work will include the expansion of the police department into areas used by the fire department before its move to a new station.  The replacement of windows and aged mechanical systems will also be a part of the work.  Early estimates put the cost at $1.4 million.
    By keeping the tax rate the same, Flory said about $350,000 could be put aside in the next budget year for the work.  In addition, $300,000 has been budgeted- Read More Via e-Edition