With Oct. 1 looming, the approval of a fiscal year 2024-2025 operating budget and property tax rate highlighted the Midlothian City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday night.

Following public hearings in which both the budget and tax rate were presented for review, the council held a record vote to approve each and the budget and tax rate both passed unanimously. The tax rate will remain at a total of 65 cents per $100 taxable valuation, of which 34.3882 cents are designated for Maintenance and Operations and 30.6118 cents for Interest and Sinking, or debt service.

The tax rates would generate a total of $28.2 million for the M&O portion of the tax and $21.6 million for the debt service, city finance director Ann Honza told councilmembers.

Councilmember Mike Rodgers noted that the figures take all homestead and senior exemptions into account. The city’s homestead exemption this year increased from 10 percent to 20 percent.

The council also held a separate vote to approve the property tax revenue rate as compared to the current year’s budget. The vote was 7-0. The new budget would increase revenue by just over $2 million from existing properties year-to-year, with newly-added properties chipping in another $2.3 million.

Mayor Justin Coffman thanked councilmembers and staff for their hard work in putting the new budget together, and urged citizens who have questions about their tax rate or the budget to contact a councilmember.

“Go to the people who really have the answers,” Coffman said. “If you’re going to Facebook to get your answers, you’re flawed. Go to the source and get real answers to solve real problems and get real feedback.“

All councilmembers were present.

Other items

• Mayor Coffman issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 9-15 as Constitution Week in the city.
• The approved consent agenda consisted of previous meeting minutes; a negotiated rate settlement with Atmos Energy; an adjustment to the city’s master fee schedule for residential waste disposal; a special event permit for the Jingle Belles 5K and Rubies Fun Run scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7; and a joint resolution with Waxahachie to authorize Texas Department of Transportation grant funds for the Routine Airport Maintenance Program.
• An updated site plan was approved for a planned development north of U.S. Highway 287, between South Walnut Grove Road and Eastgate Road. The PD allows for 65 percent of homes to have front entry garages. In the existing site plan approved in 2020, specific lots in the plan were designated as having either side-entry or J-swing garages. The builder asked that these designations be removed so as not to restrict options for any lot. This move does not change the percentage of front-entry garages.
• An agreement with Red River Construction Company was authorized for Phase 1 of the East Lift Station expansion project in a total amount of $6.9 million.

An agreement with Graphtec, Inc. was approved for interior wayfinding and parking lot signage for the new Public Safety Facility in a total amount of $271,929.

• Furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new Public Safety Facility were approved in the amount of $1.7 million.
• Following an executive session, the council approved a 2-percent pay raise for the city manager, a 4-percent raise for the city secretary and a 4-percent raise for the municipal judge.