The City Council in Pinehurst adopted the budget and the tax rate for next year during its meeting Tuesday evening. The tax rate was increased by three cents to $0.72762 cents per 100 dollars value.
At the beginning of the meeting City Secretary Debbie Cormier reported that sales taxes are picking up for Pinehurst. The general fund was also in good shape with the approach of the new fiscal year.
A public hearing was held to review the recommended condemnation of a property at 3639 Martin Street. Code Enforcement Officer Harry Vine told the council the inside of the house was the worst he had ever seen. The owner of the property has been moved to live with relatives. The City Council approved Vine’s recommendation to allow 30 days for needed repairs before the structure would be demolished. The owner’s family has requested the opportunity to enter the home to remove personal items belonging to the owner. That request was granted by the council.
The City Council rescinded the awarding of contracts for engineering and grant administration services with a Texas Community Development Block Grant. Guidelines from the General Land Office which handles the grant are more specific. Pinehurst will rebid the project and have a selected committee of Cormier and City Administrator Robbie Hood review all the bids before recommendations are made to the City Council for an engineering firm and a grant administration firm.
City Attorney Tommy Gunn received his evaluation during a closed session of the City Council. Afterwards it was approved the city keep Gunn as the city attorney. Gunn was very happy and thankful to continue serving Pinehurst which he has done for 30 years.
After hosting the meeting of the board of directors for the Orange County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on Monday in the Pinehurst City Hall, the council reappointed Robbie Hood and Alderman Dan Mohon to the EDC board of directors. Hood in fact will serve as the board’s president in the coming year.
The City of Pinehurst has also shown their respect to Constable David Cagle, who passed away Monday, by lighting city hall in blue lights this week.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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