Fri Sep 13 13:56:00 UTC 2024: ## Sweeny City Council Approves Tax Rate Increase, 2024-25 Budget
**SWEENY, TX** – The Sweeny City Council has approved a tax rate of 63.54 cents per $100 of appraised value, exceeding the no-new-tax rate of 59.04 cents. The 7.64% increase will raise taxes for maintenance and operations on a $100,000 home by approximately $28.41.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of the increase, with Councilman Caniel “Shaun” Massey dissenting, citing the economic hardship many residents face. Massey emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaborative spirit in navigating complex issues facing the community.
Along with the tax rate, the council also approved the 2024-25 fiscal year budget. The budget will raise $141,821 more in property tax revenue than last year’s budget, representing a 9.17% increase. $29,109 of this increase is attributed to new property added to the tax roll.
Councilman Reese Cook highlighted changes made to the budget, including the removal of incentive pay from the police department. Cook believes a more equitable incentive pay system should be implemented across all departments.
The council also discussed the 27 personnel employed by the city, spanning City Hall, Public Works, and the Police Department. A major concern is the broken drive-thru window at City Hall, which would cost approximately $8,300 to repair. The council will need to decide whether to repair the window or close the drive-thru permanently.
First Piper 