The budget for the next fiscal year in West Orange was approved Monday by the City Council. The tax rate for the 2022 tax year was also approved.
The actual tax rate was reduced to $0.4449 per $100 valuation. The effective tax rate in West Orange did go up by about three percent because of increased appraised property values by the Orange County Appraisal District.
The council approved a new contract with the West Orange Municipal Police Association. Mayor Randy Branch indicated the primary changes in the three-year contract will be a three percent pay raise and the certificate pay was increased by $25 a year and will go up $75 for the three years.
An ordinance denying the rate increase request from Entergy Texas was approved by the City Council. City Attorney Chris Leavins said this is standard procedure for West Orange to allow a coalition in Austin to review the request before it goes to the Public Utility Commission for final approval.
Chief of Police Mike Stelly was authorized to apply for funding to purchase body worn cameras for the officers with the West Orange Police Department. Stelly said these new cameras will replace the older ones currently being used by his department.
A new stop sign is planned for the intersection of Donnell and Stakes. The council approved relocating the stop sign that had been mistakenly approved previously for Donnell and Tanglewood to the intersection at Stakes.
Three appointments were made during the meeting. Michael Corbett will be the Building Official for the city. Charles Davis was appointed as the Rabie Control Authority, and Police Officer Robert Ashworth was appointed to be the Code Enforcement Official for West Orange.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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