By Matt Smith/Staff Writer
The Cleburne City Council approved an ordinance that affects homes and buildings that are 50 or more years old. Owners applying for historic designation under the ordinance will be eligible for two tax breaks. Participation in the program is voluntary, and the ordinance does not create historical districts, said Cleburne Development Services Manager Donna Jackson.
Home and building owners who are approved for designation will be eligible for an exemption of 25 percent of the appraised value of the property up to $25,000 in their initial year of designation.
A second incentive gives owners a one-time, 25 percent tax break for restorations worth $1,250 or more. Future restoration projects would not be eligible.
“I think this is a great idea for our city,” Councilman Bob Force said. “The important thing is that it’s not a compulsory program.”
Jackson said the program will be good for the owners and the city as it will encourage owners to renovate historic buildings, which is good for the city and tourism.
The council scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday to conduct a public hearing on the proposed-tax rate. The proposed 2007-08 rate of 65 cents per $100 of property valuation marks a 6.4 cent decrease from the current fiscal year’s rate of 71.40 cents per $100 of valuation.
“As it stands, this would be the biggest tax-rate cut in Cleburne history,” Mayor Ted Reynolds said.
Council members also voted to reappoint Jim Curlee to a second term on the Cleburne Planning and Zoning Commission. A replacement is needed for Vance Castles, whose second term expires Sept. 14. Council members once again urged interested residents to volunteer and help fill vacancies on several city boards.
Robert Theimer, president of the Layland Museum Advisory Board, called the Layland Museum and the Lowell Smith Sr. History Center the jewels of Cleburne and urged council members to consider budgeting for much-needed renovations. About 25 museum supporters accompanied Theimer to the meeting.
No items concerning the museums appeared on the agenda. Council members, however, in recent budget workshop meetings, expressed reservations about budgeting the $2 million necessary to renovate both facilities. Several council members suggested performing the renovations in stages over several years instead. Reynolds made no promises but told Theimer that council members would consider his remarks. Reynolds and several other council members called the museums an important part of Cleburne but have, in recent budget meetings, appeared to have favored other projects such as a new fire station and city park.
Matt Smith can be reached at 817-645-2441, ext. 2339, or msmith@trcle.com.
