City approves tax rate, pay-raising budget
By SHANNON CRABTREE newsdesk@leader-news.com

In four minutes and without any dispute from the public, El Campo City Council approved the fiscal year 2007-2008 budget and tax rate Sept. 11 - one which will mean a slightly higher bill for most municipal residents.

Council unanimously set the tax rate at .5598 per $100 in property value rate, the same dollar levy as last year.

But the "average" resident - one with an $83,000 home - will pay an additional $43.16 next year - from $434.32 to $477.48 since last year that home was valued at only $77,590 on average.

The city of El Campo grew $27.8 million in overall property values within the municipality, according to the Wharton County Central Appraisal District, going from $395.2 million for the current fiscal year to $420.6 million for the upcoming one.

The $12 million 2007-2008 budget was approved in a 6-1 vote with Councilwoman Gloria Harris against.

The budget includes a 7 percent across the board pay raise for city workers and continued funding of 55 percent of dependent insurance coverage, both of which are items Harris spoke against during workshops this summer.

The 07-08 budget, effective Oct. 1, creates three new staff positions (two police officers and a code enforcement officer) as well as continuing funding for two positions filled late last year.

There is a 25 percent increase in electric costs built in as well.