The Whitney City Council voted to establish property tax homestead exemptions for residences in the city during a regular meeting held Thursday, February 20.
The council’s action established a $5,000 residential homestead exemption, and the exemption will be $10,000 for those age 65 and older or disabled. The change will take effect in the 2025 tax year.
A homestead is defined as the home and land used as the owner’s principal residence. A homestead exemption reduces the appraised value of the property for the purpose of tax calculations, which reduces a property owner’s tax bill.
Homestead exemption applications are filed with the county appraisal district. Those who have not filed for a homestead exemption can find the application online at comptroller.texas.gov. It should be filed by April 30 of the year in which the exemption is requested. More information is available on the comptroller’s website or by contacting the Hill County Appraisal District at 254-582-2508.
Several residents spoke during open forum expressing support for the tax relief, telling the council that their taxes have increased steadily over the years while the median household income remains low.
In other action, the council approved an agreement with Westwood Professional Services to submit a project information form to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on behalf of the city. This will allow the city to apply for funds for water and sewer upgrades. The city will seek funds from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Westwood will work with the city to develop an inventory of water and wastewater infrastructure assets and needs, develop project descriptions and cost estimates and submit information to TWDB.
A compensation agreement was approved between the city and Baker Opportunity Properties. Shane Baker of Baker Elite presented information at the council’s last meeting about a planned new subdivision just outside the city limits, in the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction.
Baker is planning to develop approximately 70 acres that will include the area behind Tres Hermanos and Allsup’s. The gated community will have an entrance off of Colorado Street and another off of a county road.
Baker said that he was open to the city annexing the area, and Operations Director Billy Pribble told the council that annexation is likely to be considered.
Pribble said that in the past, the city has covered the cost of some professional services like legal and engineering fees related to subdivisions. The approved compensation agreement will require the developer to place funds in an account to cover these fees, which Pribble said is part of the city’s effort to be better stewards of money.
The council approved a request from the urgent care facility for a street light at the intersection of Washington and San Jacinto. Ayushi Agarwala told the council that the area is too dark, and homeless people have been gathering near the facility in an area that is not easy for police to monitor.
Agarwala said that Texas New Mexico Power has indicated that installing a light on the existing pole in the location would be a simple solution, but the council’s approval is necessary. There will be no installation cost; the city will only pay the monthly cost of having the light in operation along with other streetlights.
A professional services agreement was approved with GrantWorks to represent the city if any hazard mitigation assistance is needed over the next three years. This will allow the city to quickly apply for any disaster-related funds without requesting proposals from grant administrators while the agreement is in place.
The council approved an amendment to the municipal court ordinance allowing for the appointment of an associate municipal judge. The appointment will allow an assistant to be in place if the municipal judge has to recuse himself or is unable to act. Pribble said that Judge Trey Jetton has vetted an assistant but needs the ordinance adjusted to appoint the individual.
In open forum, Zach Hamlin introduced himself to the council and said that he is a candidate for mayor. He said that he is active in the WWFL, Masonic lodge and a supporter of Whitney schools. He expressed a desire to improve infrastructure, lower taxes, and improve private property rights in the city.
During departmental reports, Director of Emergency Services Robert Matthews reported that the ambulance service responded to 59 calls in January, with 47 in the city and 12 in the county providing mutual aid to CareFlite. The average response time in the city was five minutes, and the county response time was 11 minutes.
The fire department responded to 92 calls, including seven fire calls in the city, 12 fire calls in the county, 25 first responder calls in the city and 48 first responder calls in the county.
Police Chief Joshua Scholes reported that the police department worked 216 total incidents in January, including disturbances, motor vehicle crashes, medical responses and agency assists. There were three total arrests in January, 53 traffic stops and 76 citations/warnings issued.
Scholes said that the department responded to a burglary in progress in January and took a subject into custody. The chief also attended “Coffee with Cops” at Aquilla ISD, visiting with students to help build relationships between youth and law enforcement. The department is working several cases with Child Protective Services with criminal charges pending.
Officers Watson and Agpalza accepted their conditional offers of employment in January and will soon begin field training. The council also approved the hiring of Kristine Holt at Thursday’s meeting, which fills the department’s other open position.
The code enforcement report showed 22 total cases opened in January, with 11 still open. Most of these were reported to be animal control issues. Animal control impounded 14 animals in January, with four dogs still being in the department’s care.
Public works completed four water leak repairs in January and is holding meetings regarding water and sewer infrastructure upgrades. The department was planning to provide equipment and manpower for the park cleanup day February 22.
The library reported 776 total visitors in January, with a 71% increase in new cards issued. The library averaged 46 visitors per day for the month and a 23% increase in unique e-read service users. There were 1,298 physical materials on loan at the end of the month. Mayor Janice Sanders announced that Christie Rogers, who had been serving as interim library director, had accepted the position of library director.
The council convened in closed session and voted when open session resumed to advise the mayor to proceed with the sale of two properties the city owns behind Ace Hardware in downtown Whitney.
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