The regular meeting of Muleshoe City Council was held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at City Hall. Members present were Mayor Colt Ellis, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Behrends and members Lupe Mendoza and Gary Parker. Member Crystal Alercon was absent.

Council recognized Brittany Pendley, Chamber of Commerce manager, who updated the Council on negotiations to house the Chamber in the same building as Heritage Foundation offices.

All motions were unanimously approved.

Council approved the minutes of the regular meeting on Aug. 8.

Council approved the minutes of the Sept. 8 Public Hearing – 2023 Tax Rate/2022-2023 Budget, actuary budget.

Council considered Ordinance O-536-0922 Adopting 2022-2023 Budget. Approval was by a show of hands as required.

Council considered and approved Ordinance O-537-0922 Setting 2023 Tax Rate. The Maintenance and Operations rate was set at .610458, and the Interest and Sinking rate was set at .135506, a total of .745964. The adoption of the .745964 rate was effectively a 2.92 percent increase in the tax rate.

Council considered and approved Resolution R-784-0922 Ratifying the increased property tax revenues. Required by state law, the Resolution confirms increased property tax revenues.

Council considered and approved Resolution R-785-0922 Denying SPS Proposed Surcharge in Connection with Final Rates. City Manager Ramon Sanchez said the Resolution denies a surcharge that was agreed to on a previous settlement.

“This allows the alliance of municipalities to negotiate some of those rates,” Sanchez explained. “The rate has been agreed upon; it’s just the surcharge has been denied. It’s a yearly deal. Every year we have to do this.”

Council considered and approved Ordinance O-538-0922 Amending the Fee Schedule. The Ordinance amends the fee schedule for fees rates charged by the city. Section 88.002-A1 proposes a $2 increase on the water base from $18 to $20 on the minimum water bill.

Council considered and approved amendments to the City of Muleshoe Personnel Policy. Sanchez said the amendments involve minor changes needed, especially in the way the police department accrues holidays.

“The federal holiday bank will be accrued just like any other holiday,” Sanchez said. “Those officers that work during that holiday will be compensated, just like any other employee would.”

Council considered and approved a re-plat for the property of Ramiro Perez at 513, 517 & 519 W Ave E. Perez requested the city to re-plat and divide the property into three single properties within the three lots. Council’s approval of the re-platting will be recorded at the Courthouse allowing Perez to proceed with the sale of the properties.

Council considered and approved the Official Ballot of TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees Election, voting for the candidates recommended by staff.

Consider considered and approved the Official Ballot of TML Health Benefits Pool Board of Trustees – TML Region 3 Election, voting for the incumbent as recommended by staff.

Council considered an appointment to the Bailey Central Appraisal District Board of Directors. Ellis currently serves on board and agreed to serve another two-year term starting at the end of 2022.

Council voted to receive Financial Statement for the month ending August 31, 2022.

In administrative reports:

a. The SPAG General Assembly meeting will be at 6 p.m., Sept. 14, at the Science Spectrum Exhibit Hall.

b. The quarterly TML Region III meeting will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Cagle Steaks in Lubbock.

c. The TML Annual Conference will be Oct. 5–7 in San Antonio.

In mayor and council remarks, council discussed the wording required on the tax rate ordinance.

The meeting adjourned.