Cleburne cuts property tax rate to 58 cents per $100

The Cleburne City Council has adopted a property tax rate of 58 cents per $100 of valuation for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, down from the current rate of 61 cents. According to yahoo.com, the change should save the average Cleburne homeowner about $13, with the exact amount depending on individual property values set by the Johnson County Central Appraisal District. The council also approved the new city budget, which raises the street maintenance and repair allocation from $2.5 million to $3 million and gives city employees a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment. The budget includes a $1.5 million fire engine, water and infrastructure projects, and new computer software and equipment. Funding continues for several assistance programs, including the HOPE Program and the Cleburne Pride Improvement Program, which provide home repairs for elderly, disabled, veteran, and low-income residents. Downtown facade and building improvement grant programs, which offer matching funds to qualifying property owners making upgrades in the central business district, are also funded in the new budget.