The city adopted a new tax rate and status for hot tubs at the regular meeting of the Hooks City Council last week.
The meeting was held Monday, September 15.
The property tax rate adopted by the city is $0.616958 per $100 of assessed property value. The vote was unanimous.
The new rate, which takes effect October 1, is a decrease from the previous $0.630084 rate but will increase the city’s operational budget. The increase comes from an increase in property valuations.
The council has yet to approve a budget for the new fiscal year.
A hearing and special meeting to consider adoption of the city’s budget will be held in the council chambers Monday, September 29, at 6 p.m.
Additionally, the council unanimously gave hot tub owners within the city a break in water and sewage rates by adopting an ordinance that gives hot tubs the same status as swimming pools.
Under previous ordinance, only swimming pools were considered when adjusting water and sewage rates for filling. The new ordinance now includes hot tubs for the adjustment when the owner provides a before and after reading before each filling.
In other business, the council voted to accept an offer from Joe Dike to become the city’s accountant.
The new contract will have a probationary period of four months to be extended to a year afterward.
Chris Turner, who has served as the accountant for the city, submitted his 30day notice to end accounting services.
The council also approved a request for proposals for a Community Block Grant which will allow the city to develop a hazard mitigation plan, building codes and a flood damage ordinance.
The council unanimously voted to table a discussion for the purchase of laptop computers or tablets for use by the councilmembers. The decision to table was to allow the council to research purchase prices before bringing the agenda item back to a vote.
