County sets tax rate

Milam County Commissioners set the tax rate for the coming year and began the process of taking out a new tax note during a meeting Monday.

Commissioners voted unanimously to begin the procurement process on a $1.35 million tax note to pay for the overruns on the renovation of the Professional Building and several other things. Roughly $800,000 of the note will go toward cost overruns and rising expenses on Professional Building. The remaining funds from the note will pay for three new Sheriff`s Office patrol units, a vehicle for the Emergency Management Coordinator, roof repairs at the Milam County Jail, and renovations for ADA compliance iat the Rockdale Workforce Solutions Center. 

Commissioners also voted unanimously to set the overall tax rate at 61.32 cents per $100 valuation. That would be divided up with 56.66 cents as the maintenance and operations portion and 4.66 cents as debt service. 

A public hearing on the tax rate will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the courthouse in downtown Cameron.

Commissioners also approved the purchase of 10 bulletproof vests for the Sheriff's Office to replace worn out and expired vests. 

In other business commissioners also: approved various utility installations; approved and an 80 percent tax abatement over three years for an equipment purchase at Butler Weldments, the abatement will be applied to the new equipment purchase only in a move that will create four jobs at the company; approved salaries for the District Court Reporter and auditor with a 3 percent cost of living adjustment; approved the order of the November Constitutional Election; approved a bond election for Milam County voters who are within Lexington ISD; accepted certificates of completion for Commissioners Hubnik, Payne, and Neal; approved the sale of equipment from Precinct 4; approved the expenditure of nearly $5,000 for a water meter and tap fee for the Professional Buildin;, and approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Buckholts.