The City of California Board of Aldermen approved the tax levy rate during a special council meeting Monday, Aug. 24, following a Public Hearing on the matter. There were no comments during the public hearing.
The Tax Levy rate approved for 2015 is a very slight increase from last year. The 2015 levy rate is General Revenue - $0.4156 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, .0053 cents higher than last year's rate of $0.4103 cents. The Parks and Recreation tax levy rate for 2015 is - $0.1641 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, .0021 cents above the 2014 rate of $0.1620.
The current year of assessed valuation was presented: Real Estate - $37,586,181 less $631,160 (for the Enterprise Zone) for a total of $36,955,021; and Personal - $12,178,565; for a total of $49,764,746 less the $631,160 (for the Enterprise Zone) for a city total of $49,133,586.
The assessed valuation for the year 2014 was: Real Estate - $37,188,572 less $631,160 (for the Enterprise Zone) for a total of $36,557,412; and Personal - $12,840,864; for a total of $50,029,436 less the $631,160 (for the Enterprise Zone) for a city total of $49,398,276.
In other business, the council approved change orders on ongoing city projects. Change Order 3 approved on the Water Project was an additional $50,604 and an additional 61 days on the contract to add meters on the wells to bring them into compatibility with the computer system in use. Change Order 4 was for an additional $2,240 for additional labor costs for construction of the electric power transformer pads.
The council approved a three-week contract extension to Gene Haile to complete the work on Cooper, Kelley and Locust streets. The base must be stabilized before the asphalt can be put down for the new street surfaces.
The council also approved a proposal of $39,325 to Rackers Manufacturing to add inside restrooms to the new east side shelter house currently under construction.
An ordinance was approved for the Code of Ethics letter required to be submitted to the state.
In closed session, interviews were conducted with several candidates for the position of Electric Supervisor. The current Electric Supervisor, Rick Graham, plans to retire as of March 31, 2016.