The City Council in West Orange unanimously approved its budget and the tax rate for next year during its meeting Monday. The tax rate was increased to $0.47 per $100 value.
Mayor Roy McDonald explained the reason for the increase was because of reduced property values in West Orange. Tropical Storm Harvey destroyed several houses, damaged many other homes, and the Orange County Appraisal District lowered appraised values on property across the board. In order to maintain the same services for the citizens in West Orange the tax rate needed to be increased according to McDonald.
In other business the City Council repealed one ordinance and replaced it with a new one. Ordinance 230-I will clear up language in the earlier ordinance which regulates garbage disposal in West Orange. The change in wording clarifies that all properties in the city should be enrolled with a garbage collection service and have a garbage container.
The council approved a request from Billy Lee to allow him an additional 30 days to complete renovations he is making to his home on Houston Street. Lee’s home was flooded during Harvey, and Lee is raising it four to five feet to be above the flood level.
Mike Stelly was reinstated by the council to be West Orange’s nominee on the Texas Municipal League MultiState IEBP Board of Trustees Election. The council nominated Randy Criswell, Kimberley Mesmer, Byron Black, and David Rutledge for the Texas Municipal League IRP Board of Trustees election.
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