Published: September 29, 2009 09:44 pm      

Pinehurst City Council adopts 2009-10 budget

Pinehurst city council members trimmed the fat from the budget as much as possible, but were still forced to raise taxes.

During a meeting Tuesday evening, council members adopted the 2009/2010 budget with a tax increase to $0.60898/$100 evaluation. The previous tax rate was $0.58652/ $100 valuation.

“It’s a little bit of an increase, but it’s what we needed to do,” said Mayor T.W. Permenter.

However, no pay raises were given to city employees for the fiscal year 2009/2010.

“We are not able to give raises this year,” Permenter said. “We hope to do better next year.”

City officials decided not to increase the water and sewer rates this fiscal year. However, they will look at garbage rates in April with the renewal of the contract.

In other city business, council members approved a resolution authorizing signatories for the $250,000 sewer improvements project on Nightingale and surrounding areas. The funds for the project come from the Texas Department of Rural Affairs in the form of a Community Development Block Grant.

Council members also adopted an ordinance providing restrictions on boating operations on Adams Bayou. The requests for the ordinance came from the officials with Shangri La. The restrictions will be for a no wake zone which will prohibit boaters from going over 3 mph. Game wardens will enforce the new ordinance.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.