Property tax rate

County commissioners will discuss the proposed property tax rate for 2008-'09 at their 10 a.m. meeting Monday.

Commissioner Freddie Gardner said the court is proposing 35.8 cents per $100 valuation, a 4.6-cent drop from this year's rate. He said residents will have a heavier tax burden anyway since property values have increased, but there's always a chance commissioners could go even lower than 35.8 cents.

"We hold it down as much as possible," Gardner said Friday.

The 35.8-cent rate would keep the county about 1 cent under the amount it would take to trigger a possible property tax rollback election, where residents could vote to block any increase by going back to what's known as the effective rate.

The effective rate, or the property tax rate that would raise the same revenue in 2008-'09 that was raised this year, is about 33.4 cents.

The county will have public hearings on whatever proposed rate they decide on Monday - and again on Sept. 1 and 3 - before they take a final vote on it Sept. 8.

Commissioners will also consider:

>> Extending the burn ban.

>> Adopting the proposed 2009 commissioners court calendar and Ector County employee holiday schedule.

>> A mutual aid agreement between Ector County and the Supreme Court of Texas.

>> A report on runway 2/20 at Schlemeyer Field.

>> The county clerk's records archival plan for the 2008-'09 fiscal year.

>> The 2008-'09 budget for the county's 9-1-1 emergency communication district.

>> Accepting $21,319 in JAG grant funds.

>> The retirement of "Yonka," Ector County sheriff's canine. 

>> A contract amendment between B.I. Inc. and Ector County for post-sentence monitoring.

>> An interim agreement with Texas Tech Health Science Center and Star Care for medical services at the Ector County Detention Center and the Ector County Juvenile Probation Center.

>> Amendment No. 4 to contract 725279 between Ector County and the Office of the Rural Community Affairs.

>> An application with the criminal justice division of the governor's office for a $131,147 continuation grant.

>> A request to pay Step 6 wages to two deputies based on their previous employment at the Ector County Sheriff's office.

>> A request to use existing criteria to hire a secretary above Step 1 wages for the Chief Medical Examiner's office.

>> Replats of several lots.

>> A $6,800 line item transfer from sheriff's reserve fund balance to department furniture and equipment.

>> A $165,000 budget amendment to vehicle maintenance, motor vehicle fuel, and a $35,000 budget amendment to motor vehicle repairs from the unreserved fund balance.

>> A $25,000 budget amendment to debt service fund, 2007 tax notes principal, and a $13,600 budget amendment to unreserved fund balance from 2007 tax notes interest.

>> A $1,500 budget amendment to capital projects, major building projects, from unreserved fund balance.

>> The county's investment report for the quarter ending June 30.

>> The accounts payable fund requirements report and county financial statements and reports.

>> Small line item transfers. 

AT A GLANCE

>> What: County commissioners meeting to consider the proposed property tax rate for 2008-'09 and other agenda items.

>> When: 10 a.m. Monday.

>> Where: Ector County Administration Building Annex, 1010 E. Eighth St.