City column: $30 million in taxes, fees fund three largest departments
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Q: How much does the city collect in property taxes and sales taxes? What departments are funded from those tax revenues?
A: In the current fiscal year 2009-10, our Finance Department estimates that we will collect $13.7 million in sales tax rebates and $12.9 million in property taxes, for a total of $26.6 million. These revenues go into the city's general fund.
To answer your second question: If you look at the largest expenses funded from the general fund, they are the police department at $12.6 million, the fire department at $12.7 million and our streets department at $4.8 million, for a total of $30.1 million. We collect $26.6 million in revenues from sales taxes and property taxes and our three largest departments spend $30.1 million. To sum up, city property taxes and local sales taxes pay for public safety (fire and police) and a portion of our street department budget. The city uses fees, licensing and other revenues to pay for the remaining budget of our street department plus other departments, including the library, planning services, inspections, municipal court, traffic control and others.
Q: Does Victoria have any programs to help families purchase their first home?
A: Yes. The city uses Community Development Block Grant funds for families who are approved for a home loan but do not have the down payment. The program is designed to increase the rate of home ownership for low-income families, to lessen the pressure on rental properties by converting renters into home owners, and to stabilize neighborhoods by purchasing existing homes.
All applicants must meet the following HUD guidelines: They must be first-time home buyers, qualify as low-income households (annual household income less than 80 percent of the city's median family income, adjusted for family size) and be approved for a home mortgage from a financial institution, but lack the funds necessary for the down payment requirements of the financial institution and/or to pay closing costs. Recipients must demonstrate that they are unable to close the loan without the funds requested. Up to $2,500 is available for qualified families.
Information about the first time mortgage program is available at 361-485-3060. Online information about this program is available on the city home page at www.victoritx.org.
Q: Where can I get a copy of a death certificate?
A: The City Secretary Office can get copies of both birth and death certificates. Located at Juan Linn and Main Street in City Hall, the City Secretary Office charges $23 for local or in-state birth certificates and $21 for the first copy of a death certificate. Additional death certificates are $4 each.
Valid identification is required to obtain a birth certificate or death certificate; picture ID, such as driver's license, or two other types of ID, one of which must have a signature. If sending by mail, please include a money order payable to the city of Victoria for the correct amount. For more information call, 485-3040. Applications for birth or death certificates are available online at www.victoriatx.org, then click on the "City Secretary" link.
Q: Do the Victoria Police offer a home security survey?
A: Yes. Our police department offers a free security survey that evaluates the security of your home. This is a free service that looks at the type of lighting, windows, doors, locks and other security measures you have in your home to reduce the chance of burglary.
To schedule a security survey, first contact your insurance agent to verify whether or not they offer a reduction in home owner's insurance premiums if you have your home inspected. Then you will complete a checklist provided by the Victoria Police Department. After the list is completed, contact the Crime Prevention Office at 361-485-3808 to schedule a time for the inspection. After passing the inspection, the officer will give you a Texas Department of Insurance form for your insurance company.
If your insurance does not offer the reduction, still have the inspection. The inspection will still provide you with recommendations on how to make your home more burglar-proof. For more information about a home security survey, call the Crime Prevention Officer at 485-3808 or visit the Web site at http://www.victoriatx.org/police/communityservices/index.asp.
Send your questions and comments for any city department or activity to City of Victoria, Public Information Office, P.O. Box 1758, Victoria, TX 77902, or pio@victoriatx.org.
Comments
So lets find out why it costs $25 million to maintain a police and Fire Departments. Big companies do studies all the time to try and reduce waste, reduce costs, etc etc.
What would it take to shave 20% off the cost of having those departments and at the same time find a way to make them more productive?
Is it my imagination or does a certain segment of our population require more care (from police and fire fighters) than others? Would reducing this segment allow us to save millions of dollars???
I can't belive this article is getting so little input from the forum users.
November 23, 2009 at 4:36 p.m.