The Natalia City Council approved an ordinance canceling the upcoming General Election after no one filed to challenge the incumbents.
The action was taken at the Regular Council meeting on Monday, September 20, where Council also approved the budget and tax rate for the upcoming 2021-2022 fiscal year.
Election canceled
Council approved an ordinance declaring Sam “Chip” Bluemel, Jr., Darin Frazier, and Tommy Ortiz unopposed candidates and cancelling the election scheduled for November 2.
Bluemel, Frazier, and Ortiz will all stay on Council for another two-year term, though some positions will be shuffled.
Ortiz will return to a Council seat after serving as mayor, while Bluemel will take over at that position. Frazier will continue in his role as Councilman.
Mike Fernandez, Sam Smith, and Selica Vera round out the Council.
2021-2022 fiscal year
Council also approved municipal fund budgets and a tax rate of $.7162 per $100 of valuation for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, which begins on October 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2022.
The tax rate is lower than the 2020-2021 rate of $.7367, though the City’s revenue is projected to increase by $22,707, or 7.4 percent, thanks to higher property appraisals.
A copy of the proposed budget is available on the City website at cityofnatalia.com/finance, with the adopted budget set to be added soon.
Regular Council meetings are held the third Monday of every month at City Hall at 7:00 pm.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer
