MARFA — The public hearings on the City of Marfa’s proposed tax rate are now scheduled for 6 p.m. September 23 and 25 at City Hall. A meeting that was set to take place this Tuesday was canceled due to improper posting of the agenda.
New changes to the Texas Open Meetings Act went into effect on September 1 and require agendas to be posted in advance for three business days, not including the day of the meeting, which tripped up city staff, according to city officials. There was no sign on the doors of City Hall stating that the meeting had been rescheduled, and no one was present to explain the situation.
The city will have a special meeting Friday at noon to hear a presentation of the ‘23-’24 audit.
The City Council and the mayor are proposing to significantly raise property taxes in order to pay for a new $5 million tax note for street repairs, smart meters — automatic water meters — and more. But the city’s ‘23-’24 audit has been delayed, and that needs to be in hand before they can go out for a new tax note. If they can’t secure a new tax note by the end of September they will have to adopt a lower tax rate.