Tax rate, water and sewer work also discussed

By RANDALL ALLEN

Horion Reporter

CELINA-City alderman voted to place liquor by the drink on the 2026 ballot, set their tax rate, and approved a water project to replace a pump station serving Free Hill residents, among other business here at their August meeting last week.

During the discussion concerning city residents voting on liquor by the drink during the next regular election in August 2026, alderman Kenny Westmoreland inquired about how the topic came to light.

“Is this something that local businesses have recommended?” Westmoreland asked.

“The Mexican restaurant in town has requested it and Tom Weir,” mayor Luke Collins replied.

“Then why aren’t any of them here to talk to us about anything?” Westmoreland asked.

“That I cannot answer,” Collins said, before alderman Michael Boles offered his thoughts.

“We are letting the people decide, which is what we should do anyway,” he said, before making a motion to approve placing liquor by the drink on the August 2026 ballot. 

Alderman Tracy Mills seconded the motion, and it passed 2-1 by a voice vote, with Westmoreland voting no.

City legislators also discussed the city’s property tax rate.

Last year, the city reduced the tax rate by half and set the rate to $0.4366 per $100 of assessed value, providing a one time tax relief break to local residents.

Aldermen considered setting the tax rate back to $0.8732 per $100 of assessed value, which was the original amount.

Collins explained inflation had gone up and sales tax funds were going down.

“The auditor, Mr. Poole, recommended that we put it back to where it was,” Collins said concerning the tax rate. “If we do not put that (property tax) money back, we are really going to run the risk down towards the end of the budget.”

Westmoreland explained when last year’s one-time tax cut was passed, the policy would be reviewed each year. 

”I know we said that we would just have to look at it from year to year,” he said.

The first of two votes needed to set the tax rate will come on September 9, according to a public notice published on page __ of this week’s HORIZON.

Prior to the water project vote, water plant operator Clifton Boles provided an update on the Free Hills pump station, which is one of the oldest parts of the system.

“We have one pump right now that is not working properly.  It’s an electrical issue, “Boles said. “It’s underground, we would like to get the pumps and controls moved on top of the ground.”

“Now this is an 85% grant… this Free Hill situation has been bad for a long time,” Collins said.  “(The grant) is from that ARP money.”

The mayor also explained the city would be responsible for 15% match on the project.

Boles made a motion to approve the low bid on the Free Hill pump station project.  Mills seconded the motion, and it passed 3-0 by a voice vote.

Several other items were also discussed during the meeting, including progress on sewer plant repairs, rebidding a water department project for the Cedar Hill area, and a grant to provide safety equipment to the Celina Police Department.

Sewer plant operator Jason Hamilton provided aldermen with an update on progress with the sewer plant lagoon clean-out.

“We have a deadline of August 29, when we have to get started,” Hamilton said.  “We have got quotes for a dredge and bags, we can get set, have them here next week and be ready to start on time.

“We hope to get done in three months.”

Motions concerning the water project and safety grant were also unanimously approved at the meeting.

Mills made the motion to rebid the Cedar Hill water project with changes in the scope of the project.  Westmoreland seconded the motion, and it passed 3-0 by a voice vote.

Westmoreland made the motion to approve the safety grant to benefit the Celina Police Department.  Mills seconded the motion, and it passed 3-0 by a voice vote.