The Quitman City Council adopted a lower tax rate, approved an increase in water rates and heard concerns over proposed zoning changes during last Tuesday’s meeting.
A crowd of approximately 75 to 80 people showed up to the Quitman Public Library Community Room for public hearings on the budget and proposed changes to the city’s zoning map.
The council unanimously approved the 2026-27 tax rate of 0.04531 per $100 valuation, down from last year’s 0.05329. The new rate is expected to bring in the same amount of money as last year.
Mayor Randy Dunn said the city has a lower interest and sinking amount after paying off a couple of notes.
Councilman Steve Glenn said money the city does not immediately need is invested, with the earnings put back into the city.
“What we are doing with the money is we are making money with it and putting it back into the city,” Glenn said.
The council also approved an eight percent water rate increase brought on by an increase from the Sabine River Authority (SRA).
Local property owner Robbie Ellis raised concerns during the budget hearing about continued increases and what they mean for residents on fixed incomes.
“We had this same discussion last year. There is a minimal increase to our monthly water bill,” Ellis said.
Ellis said the city needs to look at other possibilities, including grants and possible help through Texas A&M University. He also suggested working with Wood County to gain more negotiating power.
Ellis asked where the increases will stop and said finding ways to control costs needs to be a priority for the council.
Dunn said the city buys its water from the SRA at Lake Fork and the authority has increased its rates. He said the city passed an increase on to residents last year but had absorbed increases for several years before that.
Dunn said the city also has to look at long-term costs, including filters that cost approximately $300,000 each to replace.
Dunn also said census numbers can affect the amount of grant money available to the city. If the census does not give a true picture of the number of people living in Quitman, the city may qualify for less grant money than it needs.
Glenn said the city is trying to cover its costs while continuing to provide services. He added that in his nine years on the council, the city has maintained a balanced budget.
City Administrator Allan Gilbert said the SRA increase comes at a time when the city is also seeing higher costs for chemicals and other services.
“We just can’t absorb that,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert said other increases include costs involving Republic Services and Atmos Energy. He said the city continues to look for ways to deal with higher costs while taking care of streets and other city needs.
Much of the crowd was also on hand for a public hearing concerning proposed comprehensive zoning ordinances and a revised zoning map.
Gilbert explained that the city is updating its zoning map for the first time since 2007.
Part of the process required the city to send notices to property owners who could be affected.
“The law says I must do this to be in compliance. I had to send a letter to anybody that could be affected within 200 feet,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert said the update has brought attention to zoning designations that do not match the current use of some properties.
“The high school and junior high campuses are currently zoned as single-family residences,” Gilbert said.
The project will update the map and city zoning records while generally leaving properties in their existing zoning classifications.
Several people in the audience questioned whether existing uses would be grandfathered under the updated zoning.
“Whatever you are in now you will pretty much stay in. Existing uses for properties will be grandfathered,” Gilbert said.
The council took no action on the proposed zoning changes.
Gilbert told the crowd he has been a public servant for 34 years and was not trying to make changes without residents knowing what was happening. He encouraged anyone with questions to contact him.
“I’m just trying to help the flow of positive change and that is it. You can email me, call me or come by City Hall and I will make sure you are heard,” Gilbert said.
In other matters, the council unanimously approved the Quitman Development Corporation budget of $351,333, which includes approximately $140,000 in property expenditures and special projects.
The QDC is currently working on a sidewalk plan that would provide incentives for improvements in the downtown area.
“This is a great committee and they do a lot of things with the funds they do get,” Dunn said.
The council also approved the city budget and a negotiated settlement between Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corp.
The council approved a Republic Services rate increase on a 4-1 vote, with Glenn casting the no vote.