Shenandoah City Council unanimously approved several items during the regular Sept. 13 meeting, including the city’s fiscal year 2017-18 operating budget and property tax rate.

All council members were present during the meeting. Here are a few things residents may have missed:

1. The council unanimously adopted an $8.5 million operating budget for FY 2017-18.
The council first began discussing the FY 2017-18 budget during a three-day workshop, Aug. 2-5, and has since continued to discuss amendments to the proposed budget during subsequent council meetings.

The $8,538,649 budget is an increase from the $8,385,633 budget adopted in FY 2016-17.

The budget includes a general fund surplus of $117,967, a special revenue fund (hotel/motel) surplus of $339,291 and a water/sewer fund surplus of $158,793.

The budget was approved with amendments previously discussed by council members, as outlined in the Sept. 13 Shenandoah City Council agenda packet.

2. The council unanimously lowered the FY 2017-18 property tax rate.
The budget includes a property tax rate of 20.99 cents per $100 valuation, which is lower than the effective tax rate of 21.08 cents per $100 valuation.

The property tax rate in Shenandoah has consistently been either unchanged or lowered by the council every year since 2004. The FY 2016-17 property tax rate was set at 22.95 cents per $100 valuation.

3. The council unanimously approved water service rate changes.
The water service rate changes include a Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District fee increase from 6 cents to 7.5 cents per 1,000 gallons effective Oct. 1, and another increase from 7.5 cents to 10.5 cents per 1,000 gallons effective Jan. 1.

The approved changes also include a Groundwater Reduction Plan fee decrease from 60 cents to 55 cents per 1,000 gallons effective Oct. 1.