By DAVID A. WILSON
Democrat Staff
No one appeared to speak at the Tax Levy Rate Public Hearing at 5:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5. The regular council meeting convened at 6 p.m., and City of California Board of Aldermen approved the tax levy rates proposed.
The rates are set at the maximum allowed under the Hancock Amendment. The General Revenue tax rate for 2013 is 41.03 cents per each $100 assessed valuation. Parks and Recreation tax rate is 16.2 cents per each $100 valuation.
Current year Assessed Valuation is: Real Estate - $35,240,775 less $631,160 for the Enterprize Zone, leaving $34,609,615; and Personal $13,366,263. The total assessed valuation is $48,607,038 less the previously mentioned $631,160 for the Enterprize Zone, for a actual total of $47,975,878.
The council approved purchase of a new up-to-date computer system from Huber and Associates for $34,512.64. Questions were asked about the need a computer system of such capacity, but were informed this is the smallest computer available for the use the city plans to make of it.
In other business, the council received updates on several projects.
The Co-Mo Connect work to remove all of the cable system hardware is proceeding. A Bartlett and West Engineering update included information that the sidewalk project is basically complete. It only needs the electric connections to the traffic signals to be checked out and turned on.
In discussion concerning leasing of city owned land for agriculture use, it was reiterated that the contract states the leased land is for pasture use only. The issue arose due to an apparent misunderstanding of a contract.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. The change in day is because of Labor Day.