The Orange City Council Tuesday approved a budget of $24.2 million in the general fund along with a miniscule tax decrease.
The tax rate is to be 80.6 cents per $100 property valuation. The current rate is 80.7 cents per $100 valuation. The new one is one-tenth of a penny less.
City Finance Director Cheryl Zeto said property owners with appraised values that went up will pay more, based on the values. The Orange County Appraisal District appraises properties and assigns taxable value.
The Water and Sewer budget is $7.3 million. That budget is classified as an “enterprise fund” because the income from providing the services is used for operations.
The General Fund, which includes fire and police protection, along with roads and daily operations, is financed through property taxes, sales taxes, and Industrial District Contracts, along with other sources.
Mayor Larry Spears Jr. presided over the meeting that was held by phone conference. His mother passed away on Monday and council members offered their condolences.
All council members were present for the meeting and made unanimous votes on the budget and tax rate. No citizens spoke during the public hearings, though the phone conference allows outside participation.
In other business, the council voted to waive building permit fees for people making repairs on residential and commercial properties after Hurricane Laura. Also, the city will allow RVs and trailers in residential areas so people can live in them while their homes are being rebuilt.
The exceptions to fees and trailers will last 90 days, but the council will have the option to extend them.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
Photo – The ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery and distributor Tri-Con announced Tuesday a combined donation of nearly 15,000 gallons of Synergy gasoline™ and Synergy Diesel Efficient™ to support Hurricane Laura recovery efforts in the Orange and Vinton communities. The donated gasoline and diesel will be produced at the Beaumont Refinery, and Tri-Con will transport the fuel to the impacted areas for distribution to emergency responders.
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