The Mexico city council voted unanimously on Aug. 22 on Bill No. 2022-41 an ordinance levying taxes on all property for fiscal year 2022-23 beginning October 1.

The city’s total assessed valuation for 2022 was established at $175,152,425. City staff proposed the property tax levies for various funds be proportioned and to include:

• General Fund .4395 per $100 assessed valuation.
• Parks & Recreation Fund .0994 per $100 assessed valuation.
• Public Health Fund .1988 Per $100 assessed valuation.
Total: .7377 Per $100 assessed valuation

The council held a public hearing prior to discussing the ordinance to establish the current year’s property tax rates for the 2022 Property Tax Levy.

The state auditor’s office calculates the allowable property tax rates based on keeping revenue neutral, exclusive of new construction, city manager Bruce Slagle told the council.

Based on the 2022 Assessed Value of $175,152,425 as determined by the Audrain County Assessor and the State Auditor’s Office, the allowable total tax rate calculation of .7377 per $100 assessed valuation, revenues for the City of Mexico would be $1,292,099.

Based on the 2022 Assessed Value of $175,152,425, levy revenue for the City of Mexico would be allocated for 2022-23 in this manner:

• General Fund $ 769,795 proposed revenue/$.4395 proposed tax rate.
• Parks & Recreation 174,101/.0994.
• Public Health 348,203/1988.

Totals of $1,292,099/$ .7377.

Deputy City Manager Haynes recommended the council proceed with the advertised public hearing in order to establish the 2022 Property Tax Levy.

Other items
• The council approved Bill No. 2022-42, an ordinance creating a new article XVI chapter 42, titled renewable energy systems, within the code of ordinances for Mexico.

Building Official Andy Fecht reiterated earlier meeting talking points that the use of Renewable Energy Systems is becoming more prevalent.

Due to the popularity of renewable energy systems, the city will need to adopt regulations in order to strike an appropriate balance between the use of available renewable energy technology and the protection of health, safety, and welfare of neighboring properties and the occupants.

The new bill will regulate the placement, construction and modification of Renewable Energy Systems to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public but not interfere with the use of the systems in the City.

• The council unanimously approved Bill No. 2022-43, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a contract agreement with Meyer Electric Company Inc. for improvements to the Mexico Memorial Airport runway lighting replacement project.

Assistant City Manager Russell Runge presented to the council updates on edge lighting, pavement maintenance and displaced runway threshold at the runway.

The project will be paid with 90 percent Federal funds referred to as Non-Primary Entitlement Funds (NPE), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds (BIL) and 10 percent local match.

The project is scheduled to begin in October. A total of 2 bids were received with a bid range from a high of $1,426,540 to a low of $1,333,141.50.

The low bid of just over $1.33 million was reviewed and deemed legitimate and acceptable for council approval. Work has since begun on the project.

• The council unanimously approved Bill No. 2022-44, a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an environmental covenant for the Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program on the A. P. Green site.

The Environmental Covenant restricts the site to non-residential use and restricts the use of groundwater.

A one-time, long-term stewardship fee of $15,000 has been assessed.
This fee will be paid through the 2021-2022 Economic Development Fund.