City holds tax, budget hearing on Tuesday
The City of Rockdale will hold public hearings during a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Patterson Community Center to receive comments on the proposed tax rate and proposed 2020-21 budget.
The city council has proposed a 90.74 tax rate, down from the current 91.18.
Heavenly Treasures sidewalk sales continue
Rockdale Christian Services’ Heavenly Treasures Thrift Shop will continue its sidewalk sales into the fall.
The thrift shop, located at 233 North Main, had held the sales during August.
It will continue them during September and October, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12-noon.
According to the RCS, Tuesdays will be Christmas and Halloween themed and Wednesdays will be for clothing sales.
Also, donations to the thrift shop may be placed on its back porch—access through the alley—any time.
Hospital board okays no change in tax rate
As expected, the Rockdale Hospital Board of Directors decided on Monday to leave the district’s property tax rate at 6.5 cents, according to board president Karolyn Puccio.
The RHD had originally said, in a 16.9-cent rate would be necessary to support the CHI St. Joseph-HealthPoint Clinic, but decided one year ago to set a lower rate using reserve funds.
At the time board members said the 6.5-cent rate would only support the clinic’s operations for three years, using money saved by the district over the years.
The district did not get a grant which would have further reduced taxes.
In November, voters will go to the polls to decide whether to expand the hospital district boundaries to those of the Rockdale Independent School District.
If successful that change should lessen the tax burden on city residents.
South Milam fire calls listed for past week
Area volunteer fire departments answered the following fire calls, dispatched from the Rockdale Police Station, over the past seven days:
• 9:58 p.m. Aug. 23— Burn ban violation behind Star Motel in Milano, Milano VFD.
• 5:38 p.m. Aug. 25— Eighteen-wheeler on fire, US 77 south of Rockdale, Rockdale VFD.
• 1:28 a.m. Sunday, electrical fire, 600 block of Roberts, Rockdale VFD.
• 4:38 p.m. Sunday— Vehicle fire, US 79 and County Road 355, Gause VFD.
Chamber searching for director nominees
The Rockdale Chamber of Commerce is taking nominations for Board of Directors, according to Denise Brock, office staffer.
“We are looking for strong, enthusiastic, business minded individuals whom are dedicated to their community,” Brock said.
These citizens would be responsible for attending board meetings once a month, attending sponsored events, ribbon cuttings for new members and business -of the-month celebrations,” she said.
Brock asked for nominations to be emailed to info@ rockdalechamber.com by Sept. 28.
Dove season underway in Central Texas area
Dove season began Tuesday (Sept. 1) across Central Texas and game officials expect it to be promising.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, biologists expect an increased dove population this year thanks to above average rainfall statewide in the spring.
Minimal impacts are expected from recent extreme weather events such as Hurricane Laura.
The initial season will end Nov. 1, but a second season will run from Dec. 18 until Jan. 14, 2021.
Game wardens remind hunters the daily bag limit is 15 birds, which includes no more than 2 white-tip doves.
Possession limit is three times the daily bag limit, the TP&W said.
Legal hunting hours are half an hour before sunrise to sunset.
Alcoa retirees cancel September meeting
The September meeting of Rockdale Alcoa retirees has been canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
That meeting would have been held on Sept. 17, according to Doug Williams, president of Rockdale Alcoa retirees.
“We are going to try and have the December meeting, scheduled for Dec. 17,” Williams said.
School board approves change in RISD budget
School trustees, meeting Friday approve a budget amendment to remodel the board room and technology facility to create a board room and professional development center.
CTFB visit set Thursday at KC Hall parking lot
The first Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) Mobile Food Pantry distribution of September in the KC Hall parking lot will be held on Thursday, according to Rockdale Christian Services Chair Pam Warren.
Distributions are held the first and third Thursdays of each month. In September, that’s the 3rd and 17th. Hours are 9 to 11 a.m.
“As with previous distributions, this will be a drive-through model with the clients remaining in their vehicles to maintain social distancing,” she said.
Volunteer helpers must wear masks.
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