By Scott Harvey
Commerce – It is still unclear what the tax rate will be for the City of Commerce, but what is clear is the new rate will not require either a public hearing or voter approval.
That's because the rate is not expected to exceed either the effective rate of $.770055 per $100 valuation or the roll-back rate of $.819845 per $100 valuation. Exceeding the effective rate requires two public hearings, while exceeding the roll-back rate requires voter approval.
The current rate will be determined upon completion of the city's five budget workshops and then go before council at the city's September 15 meeting. The rate now sits at $.736/$100 valuation.
City Manager Dion Miller informed council Tuesday the certified tall roll, issued by the Hunt County Appraisal Office, shows values declined significantly for Commerce.
Also Tuesday, council approved a first reading amending the city's curfew ordinance for minors, as recommended by Commerce ISD Resource Officer Joe Venable.
Currently, the curfew for minors is in place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Following a second reading, the curfew will also be effective from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday when school is in session to prevent students who are sent home for disciplinary reasons from wandering the streets and remain at home.
According to Venable, the amended hours will help reduce truancy and encourage students to come to school. He did emphasize, however, the actions are not presently a major issue at CISD.
The council also appointed ten members to a Charter Review Committee to review and possibly recommend changes or amendments to the city's charter. Appointed were Bob Clark, John Sands, Barbara Kersey, Trezzie Presley, Walton Nelson, Robin Alexander, Penny Belcher, Lovell Hendricks, Jason Cunningham, and Charles Elliot.
City charters are generally reviewed every three or so years. The Commerce City Charter was last amended in 1995. The original document was created in 1954.