Future of Edna fire department to be decided by task force
Submitted by jcht2010 on
The fate of the Edna Fire Department will be discussed between two city council members and two ESD 3 commissioners.
The city has been discussing the future of the paid fire department after being hit by larger than normal expenses and a $900,000 budget deficit last year.
Don Doering, Edna city manager, suggested to council at the July 27 budget meeting that a task force made up of representatives from both entities.
“Two years ago, the city and the ESD3 entered into an interlocal agreement that will end on Sept. 30,” Doering said. “I suggest a task force made up of representatives from the council and representatives from the Emergency Services District meet as soon as possible to work out a method of the ESD taking over operations and contract of emergency services.”
Doering told those in attendance that it was a budget workshop and not a regular meeting.
“After the proposed budget is determined there will be a public hearing to receive public comment before the annual budget is approved.”
The city had been waiting for its certified appraisal roll and tax rate for 2015/16. Doering said the city had received the numbers from Damon Moore, chief appraiser for the Jackson County Appraisal District.
The city’s appraised values are $212,383.250, which gives a proposed tax rate of $0.2365 per $100. Last year’s tax rate was $0.0756 and this year’s effective tax rate $0.0722. The rollback tax rate is $0.1978 per hundred, which is the rate that would allow a rollback election.
The ESD3 will have met on Tuesday, July 28 and is expected to discuss the city’s decision.
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