New Quitman city budget raises police pay
The Quitman City Council approved a $3.9 million budget for 2023-24 last Thursday. It will be supported by a property tax rate of $.5257 per $100 value as well as an 8% increase in water rates.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, below, or purchase a new subscription.
Please log in to continue |
New Quitman city budget raises police pay
The Quitman City Council approved a $3.9 million budget for 2023-24 last Thursday.
It will be supported by a property tax rate of $.5257 per $100 value as well as an 8% increase in water rates.
The tax rate last year was $.5436.
City administrator James Attaway explained that the city’s water provider, the Sabine River Authority, has raised rates a total of 18% since 2014, but the city has not raised rates.
This year’s increase from the SRA of 8% is being passed on to customers. There will be no increase in sewer rates.
There will also be a $5 administrative fee for water customers, which Attaway said will help the city begin to address some of its capital needs in the water utility.
The budget includes a 3% pay raise for all employees and a 5% increase for the police department.
The council also approved an additional $23,000 for street repairs.
The budget includes $2,097,200 for general operations and $1,876,852 for water and sewer.
The council approved a $50,000 contribution to the Wood County Airport which includes the city’s share of annual operations as well as funds to assist with the $8 million runway extension state grant match.
The funds will come from the Quitman Development Corp.
Also last week the council amended the one-way school zone ordinance designating Paul St. as one way northbound between Lance Rd. and E. Goode (Hwy. 154) during school pickup (7:30-8:30 a.m.) and drop off (2:30-4 p.m.) times.
The council approved participation in two state investment funds that will yield additional interest income.
The council approved a two-year contract for Attaway, who joined the city in the spring.