The Post city council met Tuesday, August 9, 2022. Mayor Marvin Self opened the meeting and approved the minutes of the previous meeting. City manager, Rhett Parker, announced the full agenda to the council by item.
The first item on the agenda was whether the city should approve a permit or license fee for authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages. The city would collect a fee of one-half of the state license fee each year from businesses. Pixie Grisham motioned to approve the ordinance with Evonne Sapp seconding. All approved.
The council approved an order for a special election regarding the sale of malt beverages and wine for off-premises consumption only. This would allow stores in town to sell beer and wine. Sapp made the motion to order the election and Diane James seconded the motion. The special election, open to public voting, will be on November 8, 2022.
Another item on the agenda was an election for the citizens of Post to approve the development of the Caprock Economic Development Corporation. This would allow the city to take one-half of 1% of the city collected sales tax to be utilized towards improvements and new development in the city. The amount deemed towards CEDC for city use equals the amount that had been the water bond payment. The bond was paid off early. James motioned for this to be added to the election set for November. Grisham seconded and all approved.
Parker reported the need to increase the solid waste services and regulations regarding the sale of bulk water. He requested setting a bulk water meter monthly rate. The proposed increase Parker requested was a $5.00 solid waste increase to each monthly water bill, a $5.00 increase for bulk water up to 250 gallons, and a bulk water meter rental rate of $40.00 a month. James moved to approve these rate increases and Jimmy Valdez seconded the motion. The vote passed.
Along with the increase in solid waste, the water usage was voted to increase by $8.00 for water and sewer each. This would increase a monthly bill by $21.00. Grisham moved for these increases and Valdez seconded. All voted for the increase. Sapp did not vote. The last water increase was in 2014. That increase was only five cents.
The annual rate with Atmos regarding the company’s 2022 rate tariff was reported by Parker. This is an agreement with all West Texas towns serviced by Atmos. It will be approximately $3.36 for residents monthly. This was approved.
Grisham reported on the Hotel Occupancy Tax committee meeting held Monday, August 8, 2022. The committee consisting of Ashley Hawkins, Barbara Hardin, Ian Torrens, Lisa Kirkpatrick, Pixie Grisham, and Rhett Parker distributed $55,000 to four local entities: Post Community Advertising, Post Visitor’s Center, Post Stampede Rodeo, and Hotel Garza B&B. The committee also discussed the possibility of having murals painted on various downtown buildings.
The council approved the advertising bid for painting the Community Center and City Hall. James moved, Grisham seconded and all agreed.
Parker announced the financial report and budget progress. Oil Royalties and sanitation fees are good at the present time. The city will lose an estimated $748,000 if the prison is not reopened. The breakdown is $600,000 in water, $28,000 in garbage revenue, and $120,000 sales tax revenue. With the loss, the proposed tax rate will need to increase from last year’s tax rate of 0.584037 to 0.637910. This would increase a $50,000 resident, less than $20 in taxes from last year. Valdez made the motion to accept the proposed increased tax rate. Grisham seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate will be held on Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m. The next council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m.