SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 30, 2007

 

 

1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Robin S. Border called the special meeting of the City of Hilshire Village to order at 7 P M at 8301 Westview, Houston, Texas. Present were Council members Brian Henault, Zandra Anderson, John Denninger and Mayor Pro-tem Connie Castro. Shannon Whiting was absent.

 

2. CITIZENS COMMENTS/Public Forum: None

 

3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON:

 

               3. 1. Setting the tax rate at $0.519799 per $100 in value which will result in an increase in total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll in the preceding tax year by 48.50 percent.  As required by state law, two public hearings were held in regard to an increase in the tax rate. One hearing was held October 16, and another on October 23^rd. The $0.519799 represents the total rollback rate. There were notices of these hearings published in the newspaper and on the website. This rollback rate is composed of $0.378029/$100 maximum operating rate plus $0.141770/$100 debt rate equaling the $0.519799/$100 total tax rate.

 

It was moved by Castro, seconded by Denninger that the $0.51977 tax rate be approved for the 2007 property taxes. A vote was taken and Castro, Denninger and Henault voted for, and Anderson opposed. Motion carried 3-1.

 

Ordinance for this tax rate will be presented at next meeting.

 

               3.2. Passing ordinances for tax exemptions:

                              (a) Twenty percent (20%) for residential homestead exemptions

                              (b) Over 65

                              (c)  Disabled

 

The previous yearÕs (2006) exemptions were: Twenty percent (20%) of appraised value of residence homesteads; $40,000 for over 65 years of age and $40,000 for disabled. An eligible disabled person who is 65 years or older may not receive both a disabled and an elderly residence homestead exemption but may choose either.

 

It was moved by Henault, seconded by Denninger that the three 2007 tax exemptions be the same as the 2006 rates, and motion carried 4-0.

 

Prior to adjournment, there had been a misunderstanding in regard to an agenda item that Anderson felt should have been listed, i.e. tree trimming in Hilshire Village by Centerpoint Energy. Many complaints had been received in regard to the ÒaggressiveÓ trimming of the trees. It was decided that a special meeting be held on Wednesday, November 7^th at 6:30 PM so that representatives of Centerpoint Energy could address these problems.

 

John Denninger asked to be excused- an emergency- and left at 7:20 P M.

 

The Municipal Law Workshop, conducted by Mario DellÕOsso of Olson and Olson, Attorneys-at-Law, was to have been held at this time, but was postponed to a later date as Shannon Whiting, Council member, was not present. Mr. DellÕOsso is presenting this workshop without charge but he believed all Council members should be present when it was done.

 

4. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Anderson, seconded by Henault that meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 P M.

 

                                                                                                                        ____________________

                                                                                                                        Robin S.Border, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Claudia Bammel, City Secretary