The Gatesville City Council held a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 1, to discuss the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget and tax rate.
There were no comments from the public regarding the budget or tax rate.
No major changes were made to either the budget, tax rate or fee schedule during their second readings and the council unanimously passed each to their third and final readings.
The only notable change, according to City Manager Brad Hunt, would be that the salaries for three open positions would be put on hold to try and offset potential insurance increases.
If approved, the tax rate would remain at $0.5600 per $100 of taxable property to help fund a budget of over $44 million.
The water and sewer rates would cumulatively increase $32.94 per 5,000 gallons as well as the fees increasing in the city’s fee schedule.
If approved during the third and final meeting, the new water and sewer rates as well as the FY27 tax rate would take effect on Oct. 1.
It was also announced at the end of the meeting that council member Joe Patterson had submitted his resignation of Ward 2 Place 4 due to a recent move.
The council, with the motion made by Mayor Gary Chumley, agreed to leave that spot vacant until the Nov. 3 election. Two candidates, Buddy Cuevas and Jason Shields, will be on the November ballot for the position.
The next meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8.