An emphasis on street repair and fully funding emergency medical services is the goal of an otherwise “stark” budget, according to Fairfield’s City Administrator Nate Smith.

Council voted last week to propose a tax rate of .464582 per $100 valuation, which would be identical to the last year’s rate for the City of Fairfield.

However, as property valuations went up this year (which is determined each year by the Freestone Central Appraisal District), keeping the tax rate is expected to yield $66,539 more than last fiscal year.

“The additional revenue will go straight into street projects,” says City Administrator Smith.

The City’s proposed budget is posted online at fairfieldtexas.com for those who would like to examine it in detail. For questions, contact Smith at City Hall at 903-389-2633 or via email to contact@fairfieldtexas.net

Citizens are encouraged to look over the budget and figures, and give their input during Public Hearings set for Tuesday, September 1, 2020 for the proposed tax rate and for the proposed budget.

Final adoption of tax rate and budget must be approved by Council members by September 29, 2020.

Smith points out that it is important to note that the proposed tax rate is not to exceed the .4645852 amount. Following citizen input during the Public Hearing process, council members have the option of adopting a tax rate that is lower than proposed.

State-mandated calculations for the tax rate has changed this year, along with some of the verbiage used. They are as follows:

–No New-Revenue Tax Rate: the rate which would generate the same amount of revenue as the previous year. Most will recognize this as the effective tax rate. Because of the higher property valuations, this rate is .434445 for the City of Fairfield.

–Voter-Approval Tax Rate: the rate which would be subject to voter approval, should citizens successfully petition a special election. Most will recognize this as the rollback tax rate, so named as voters could seek to “roll back” to the previous year’s tax rate.

However, because of higher property values, coupled with the City’s much lower debt rate, this year’s Voter-Approval tax rate is .407624 for Fairfield, an amount that is even lower than the No New-Revenue tax rate.

If fact, residents would have to look back four years to 2016 to find a lower tax rate for the City of Fairfield.

–De Minimis Rate: the rate which would automatically trigger a “rollback” election for voter approval. This rate is .812917 for the City of Fairfield.

Also during the August 11, 2020 meeting, Fairfield Council approved an agreement to conduct a joint election with Linda Jarvis, Election Officer of Freestone County, on November 3, 2020.

While traditionally held during the month of May, elections for the City, School and Hospital District were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic to General Election Day in November.

According to City Administrator Smith, conducting a joint election will allow voters to cast a ballot in one location to select candidates for Mayor, City Council, and School Board, as well as candidates for President, U.S. Congress, State Legislature, County and Precinct offices.

And, for those residing in Fairfield Hospital District, casting a vote “for” or “against” the tax rollback proposition.

Early voting in these elections will begin October 13, 2020. Stay tuned for poll locations, closer to that time.

Other business includes the following:

–Council voted to utilizing Grant Works to pursue a Community Development Block Grant that could fund the Love Street Water Tower project.

–222 South Mount Street was selected as the future location for City Hall Construction, as recommended by the City Hall Committee.

–Revisions adopted for Tax Abatement Guidelines. Changes include additional points given for sales tax generation and giving council members more leeway in approving tax abatements.

Fairfield City Council met this Thursday, August 20, 2020 for a Budget Workshop regarding the Enterprise Fund.

Be sure to check out the City’s new website design at fairfieldtexas.com. The design is user friendly and includes useful information for residents and visitors.

Monies for the redesign were approved in last year’s budget.