Council sets record tax decrease

With property values increasing by more than 25 percent this year, Kilgore City Council last night approved a proposed tax rate decrease of 5.5 cents, making the projected overall rate 40.522 cents per $100 valuation.

Even with this reduction in the rate the city still expects to raise $447,000 more from the tax roll than was collected last year.

Randy Renshaw, councilman, noted that much of the increase can be attributed to new construction.

Council scheduled public hearings on the proposed rate change for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at a regularly scheduled meeting and again 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at a special meeting.

Vote on the tax rate is set for the regularly scheduled meeting scheduled 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Diagnostic Clinic of Longview opens an Urgent Care Clinic at the former Laird Memorial Hospital on Sept. 1.

Marc Pearce, hospital administrator, told city council last night that the Urgent Care Clinic is slated to operate 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days a week.

In other hospital updates, the facility is making preparations to transition from a 60-bed acute care center to a 60-bed long-term acute care center. The hospital hoping to buy a new CT Scan — a $250,000 investment.

According to Pearce, he has received positive feedback on the facility's out-patient occupational medicine program, which helps more than 50 patients each day.

Pearce said the hospital looks to hire 30 to 50 positions in the coming months, including RN, LVN, CNA and operational staff.

"We appreciate the city's support in trying to keep employees in Kilgore as well as adding new staff," Pearce said. "We are optimistic that this is a great hospital to receive long-term acute care in."

Pearce said Allegiance Health Care is proud to be in Kilgore. "Kilgore has a wonderful facility," Pearce said.

City council also heard three staff reports, from Carol Hinton, Kilgore Chamber of Commerce director of tourism; B.J. Owen, director of special services; and David Hackley, utilities superintendent.

Hinton showed council the two 30-second commercial spots shown on CBS 19 from mid-June through mid-July. According to Hinton the chamber purchased 241 spots.

Hinton also updated council on Texas Shakespeare Festival and Pump Jacks Baseball attendance, saying that Pump Jacks attendance was the highest in the league and that the TSF had also received record attendance — and sold out two shows.

Owen reported all passing marks for several local restaurants, including: Buffet City, with a 91; Chandler Elementary, with a 100; Country Boys Beer & Wine, with a 97; Elder Alternative School, with a 100; El Sombrero, with a 93; Kilgore Heights, with a 100; the Dove's Kitchen, with a 100; Super Food Mart 22, with a 97; Kilgore High School, with a 100; Kilgore Intermediate School, with a 100; Maude Laird Middle School, with a 100; Ramada Inn Breakfast, with a 97; and Stop&Go, with an 88.

Owen noted that every street in Kilgore has been sprayed for mosquitoes at least once and that vector control is making its second round of the city.

Hackley reported that the 2007 Drinking Water Report was mailed out with recent water bills and is available at Kilgore City Hall and at the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce.

Under the consent agenda council approved: minutes for the city council meeting on July 22 as well as for city council work sessions from July 22 and July 31; tax resale deed for property at 206 Luder Street, Lots 8 and 9 of Block 5 in the Eastview Addition to Dario Morales, who plans to build a single-family home on the lot ; and the re-appointments of Bobby Beane and Dr. Jerry Ted Roberts to their second threeyear terms on the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors to be effective October 1.

Last night the city council adopted Ordinance 1385 approving the closure of a portion of Barnett Street approximately 359 feet east of the intersection of Rusk Street and Barnett Street for East Texas Lumber. Ronnie Spradlin, councilman, abstained from this vote, citing a conflict of interest.

Council also adopted: Ordinance 1386 - 2006, International Building Code; Ordinance 1387 - 2006, International Residential Code; Ordinance 1388 - 2006, International Fire Code; Ordinance 1389 - 2006, International Mechanical Code; Ordinance 1390 - 2006, International Fuel Gas Code; Ordinance 1391 - 2006, International Plumbing Code; and Ordinance 1392 - 2006, International Property Maintenance Code.

The adoption of those ordinances brings city ordinances to the most current enforced.

Council approved a proposal from Overman Tree Service for contract building demolition and lot clearing.

Council also adopted Ordinance 1393, changing the name of Cedar Lane, located between Cypress Drive and Sycamore Drive, to Cedar Drive. With a street extension the post office has noted duplicate addresses.

Council authorized Jeff Howell, city manager, to execute a letter of engagement with R.W. Beck, Inc., to perform a valuation study for a portion of Liberty City Water Supply Corporation water service area in an amount not to exceed $17,500.

City council will from now on serve as the International Code Board of Appeals. This board meets on an as-needed basis when a code is appealed

Council adopted Resolution 08-13 supporting the discontinuation of the division of transportation user revenues to non-transportation uses and the appropriation of all revenue generated from highway user fees and taxes to fund transportation projects.

Council authorized Joe T. Parker, mayor, to execute the certification of governmental entity participation regarding the Medicaid Hospital Supplemental Payment Program through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

An executive session was held to discuss the possible expansion of Martin Luther King Park and personnel issues. No action was taken when council reconvened in open session.

The next meeting of Kilgore City Council is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 26 at Kilgore City Hall in Council Chambers.