City adopts zero property tax rate; Hires Police Chief; Mayor Reyes resigns

Greg Reyes being sworn in  as Police Chief
by Von Ormy City Clerk Juanita de Anda

VON ORMY--At a special meeting held Monday, August 22, 2016, the Von Ormy City Commission adopted its fiscal year 2017 budget and tax rate.  Commissioners Martinez and Quintanilla voted unanimously to adopt a tax rate of zero, returning the city to a no property tax status.  The City receives most of its income from sales tax and franchise fees.  City sales tax receipts have stabilized over the past two years, following a dip resulting from Eagle Ford Shale decline.
    The new city budget totals $656,200.00 for 2017 and includes paying off the the city's remaining debt on the city park ($50,000.00), leaving the city with no debt.  The City also carries over $600,000.00 in surplus into next year.
   The Commissioners appointed Greg Reyes as the city's first Police Chief.  Reyes formerly served as City Marshal in Von Ormy.  In 2016, the City converted from a City Marshal's Office to a Police Department, which necessitated the application of a new law enforcement agency license.  The change also means that the City will no longer have a City Marshal, but will instead have a Chief of Police.
   Mayor Trina Reyes resigned during the meeting.   The City Commissioners elected Sally Martinez to serve as acting Mayor.
  The Commission also moved its regularly scheduled meetings to the first Thursday of the month.