V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
The City is closing in on a final budget, but delayed proposing a 2024 Tax Rate until Monday during last Monday’s budget workshop.
Marion County Tax Assessor Collector Karen Jones was on hand to present the Benchmark rates and answer any questions, of which Council had none.
Jones calculated the “No New Revenue” (NNR) of $0.4087406, which would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as 2023, and is $.0098704 lower than the 2023 rate.
However, the NNR would leave the City with a large deficit with the current proposal of the 2024-25 budget.
Even the maximum rate allowed, before Voter Approval (VAR) of $0.4448050, or a $0.026194 rate increase, leaves a deficit.
The City must adopt a tax rate by September 15 to be able to issue a combined tax statement or they will incur additional mailing costs. To meet that deadline, the tax hearing has been set for September 12, and requires a notice be published at least 10 days prior, which is August 30.
The Jefferson Police Department has reduced the amount of overtime available, and Public works departments has eliminated three open positions to help lower their budgets.
Regular Meeting
Council held their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, taking a break from budget discussions.
The City received a “clean” or unmodified opinion on their 2022-23 fiscal year audit from Gollob, Morgan and Peddy, PC, the firm selected to audit the City’s finances.
The City will be getting a new all-in-one accounting and management software system following Council’s accepting a bid from Fund View.
The City had requested an all-in-one system to minimize double entry and lowering installation and maintenance costs.
The City received two bids for the application. One from Fund View, and another from iPay Verticals. The iPay bid was not an all-in-one solution, according to City Secretary Melissa Boyd, and required multiple integrations and different software solutions.
Fund View was selected at an initial cost of $69,300 and an ongoing support/maintenance fee of $37,500 per year. Some of the costs will be paid from the 2023-24 budget and the balance from the 2024-25 budget. It will take most of a year to fully implement.
One of the new features will include water customers the ability to see their account and make payments online.
Other financial matters including Council approving going out for bids for the City’s two mowing contracts. The last contract was approved in 2019, and automatically renewed. It expires on August 31.
The City has increased the budget for the two contracts to nearly $60k. The contracts cover mowing three cemeteries, and 26 city properties. Jefferson Mayor Patricia Finstrom will be working with Boyd to finalize requirements and publishing the bid notices.
Jefferson Fire Marshall Victor Perot provided an update on the activities of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department outlining the JVFD’s work inside and outside the city limits.
Perot reported that in 2023, JVFD responded to 16 structure fires, eight vehicle fires, nine grass fires, 24 landing zones, five other type of responses (gas leaks, etc), and three community service events. In the county, JVFD responded to 15 structure fires, four vehicle fires, 20 grass fires, two landing zones, and four other types.
Perot said so far this year, JVFD has responded to five structure fires, one vehicle fire, 25 landing zones, and five other types in the city limits. In the county, they have responded to eight structure fires, nine vehicle fires, nine grass fires, and one landing zone.
Budget wise Perot indicated the department tends to wait until the end of the year to use the City provided funds and expects to spend $7-8k on new radios. He said they have been utilizing their own funds and a grant to add extraction equipment and updated bunker gear to their resources. He also said they have approval for a $210k grant to obtain a new brush truck, but keep getting bumped by emergency situations in other counties.
Newly appointed, and re-sworn in, Ward 2 Alderman Dan Harrigan made his appointments to the various City boards including: Harrison Moller of Big Foot Cigar Co. to JEDCO; re-appointing Colleen Taylor to Tourism; and Tracy Graham, a retired civil engineer from Ft. Worth, to P&Z.
In other action, Council approved:
- • Building permits at 409 E Dixon (metal building), and 1307 MLK (awning replacement). Ward 3 Alderman Robin Moore abstained from voting, citing the need for a building inspector;
- Clarification: Moore did not state the reason she abstained from voting. However, she has regularly abstained from voting on building permits due to the lack of a building inspector. In notifying the Jimplecute of this error, she did not state a reason for abstaining. The Jimplecute apologizes for any confusion on why she abstained.
- • Work on Sterne Fountain by historic Jefferson Foundation
- • Event applications includng: Chili Cook-off in January; East Texas Burn Run in October 2025; JHS Homecoming Parade in September; Outlaw Nationals in April 2025; and Memorial Day Meet-Up in May 2025; and
- • contract with Madison Hood as the City Attorney.
Council will meet again Monday, August 26, for another Budget Workshop.