Residents of Fairfield will see a one cent increase in their Property Tax Rate this coming year.

Fairfield City Council approved the new rate of $0.43 per $100, up from last year’s rate of $0.42, during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, since there has been some change sit is very important to have your accountant offer you solid  yacht crew tax advice.

Council also approved the budget during this meeting, following their final budget workshop, which started on Saturday, September 22nd and spilled into Monday evening, September 24th.

Approved for the City of Fairfield is a budget of $3,244,826 (Expected Revenue) and $3,195,487 (Expected Expenses).

Fairfield Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) presented their budget and proposed Business Work Plan during this meeting, both of which were unanimously approved.

The City will be posting for the position of a Full Time City Administrator. Jana Taylor, the previous City Secretary, has been serving as Interim City Administrator since Jeff Looney was terminated on May 1st of this year. Councilmen voted unanimously in favor of posting the position ASAP.

“Based on the fact that it was never done, I make a motion to amend Item #14 from the meeting minutes of September 12, 2017 to approve moving $250,000 from the TDCJ Fund to the General Fund,” said Councilman Landis Bayless. Councilman James Tyus gave the second, Councilmen Keith Daniels and Jason Bosley voted in favor of approval. Councilman Randy Johnson voted against.

Following an executive session, Council voted to approve to authorize the Mayor, City Administrator, and the City’s Legal Council to meet with representatives of the City of Teague in an attempt to resolve matters between the two Cities related to the 1990 Interlocal Agreement of TDCJ.
Matters discussed during the budget workshop include the following:

Legal Services
–Budget was raised from $10,000 to $40,000 due to the Civil Case filed against Fairfield by The City of Teague.

Municipal Court
–Needs updated court system software.
–Revenue is down because fewer tickets are being written by PD; and DPS turns their City tickets into the County.

Police Department
–Chief Bulger would like to have a vehicle to put on the interstate within City limits. This would help with bringing in more revenue. Mayor Hughes asked Chief Bulger to put together and present a plan for an interstate vehicle, to include costs and logistics.
–Department has three Portable Breath Testers (PBTs). Chief Bulger would like to replace these three and order three more, for a total of six, one for each patrol vehicle. They are currently working on a grant to purchase.

Fire Department
–Ladder Truck is currently not working. Need to fix or sell. Currently obtaining bids for repairs.
–Line item for a new vehicle purchase was removed from the budget. Fire Chief Matt Foree requested funds to purchase a command truck. Councilmen unanimously agreed that this is not a necessary item.

Members of the Council expressed their views about the Department:

“We don’t have a sound relationship with this department,” says Councilman Johnson. “This concerns me.”

Councilman Bosley expressed his feelings that “They are not financially responsible.”

“I want these guys to be safe and to want to continue to be volunteers,” says Councilman Bayless. “The bottom line here is to protect our citizens.”

“From now on, we will require them to send the Department’s Secretary to Council meetings with invoices in order to get their bills paid,” says Mayor Hughes.

Parks & Recreation Department
–Need to replace lights around square with safer and more cost effective LED lights. Will be asking businesses located on the square to contribute to replacement costs.
–Possible skate park in the future. Project is being worked on.

Animal Control
–Dropped budget to $10k from $25K as only $8,600 has been spent from the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year budget.

Hotel/Motel Fund
“Hotel/Motel Funds have not been spent correctly in the past,” explains Mrs. Taylor. “We need to make sure they are done correctly from this point going forward.”
–Events & Tourism will receive $7,500.
–Freestone County Museum will receive $15,000 for operating costs.
–$30,000 will be budgeted for sporting events.
–Trinity Star Arts Council will receive $10,160 for their upcoming event.
–Green Barn (Civic Center)
A) Needs roof replaced to help stop leaks.
B) Should to be evaluated for repair costs or if a new building would be more cost effective
C) Needs new appliances.
D) Council will gather all ideas and visit with TML to see of any of these projects can be covered fully or partially by Hotel/Motel Fund.