Anahuac handles 2025-26 FY, ordinances

ANAHUAC— City council met last week, finalizing the budget and discussing a few ordinances, one of which finalizes where some stop signs will be added.

Anahuac City Council met on Monday, Sept. 8, discussing the new budget of $3.7 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year, an increase from last fiscal year’s budget of $2.6 million.

Council passed a tax rate of $0.587902 per $100 of valuation, a decrease from the 2024-25 year’s rate of $0.632501/$100. While the rate is decreased, taxpayers could see a tax increase based on appraisal values.

There was a bit of discussion over code enforcement, initiated by Councilwoman Janice Jircik, suggesting hiring a police officer to help “get some teeth in the game” while Code Enforcement Official Amber Ayres completes her required training.

City Attorney Richard Baker noted that the city pays a lot of “money that we don’t get back” enforcing codes, using court fees as an example.

City Secretary Julie Harvill said Ayres had to have two years of training working under someone in the position, which she has been doing with Mont Belvieu, and Ayres is nearing completion of hours to test for her certification.

There were also discussions over merit raises for staff, which centered around whether staff should receive them and how to judge who should receive them.

It was decided that merit raises would be budgeted but brought to the council for approval, and all staff will have a 4% cost-of-living raise.

“I want the employees happy, I want everybody happy, and I know we’ve got the money to do both,” Councilman Nathan Trahan said.

Jircik and City Administrator Kenneth Kathan agreed they would like annual evaluations for employees to help determine merit raises.

The 100-year floodplain regulation was adjusted from 1 foot to 2 feet per Chambers County’s request. The regulation would only affect new construction.

The stop sign ordinance was passed, allowing for signs at the intersections of Davis Avenue and Fannin Street, Davis Avenue and Bowie Street, Oak Street and Kansas Avenue, and Belton Lane and Kansas Avenue.

Council approved amending the recreational vehicle, or RV, ordinance, which now has an “evidentiary factor,” explained by Baker.

The current ordinance specifies that sewer and water can’t be connected without a permit, and the slide-outs can only be extended if preparing for future use, maintenance, or cleaning.

The ordinance states that if sewer or water is connected, or if a landing or porch is added, it constitutes evidence of a person living in the RV. The amendment includes having the slides out as additional proof, allowing Ayres to support filing a citation.

An amendment to the off-site signage ordinance clarifies the meaning of dilapidated.

The City Hall rental agreement has been officially revised, now encompassing both the larger public space and the additional smaller room with an attached bathroom.

Rentals are for six hours of usage, costing $10 for employees, $200 for city residents, $300 for non-residents and a $400 deposit for all rentals.

Additionally, Chambers County Constable Precinct 2 John Mulryan will organize security as needed.

Trinity Bay Conservation District General Manager Jerry Shadden and President Victor Caraway were in attendance to discuss meeting regularly with council to rework their contract.

Shadden said they wanted to put in writing that Anahuac would provide sewer services to the Lakes of Anahuac subdivision. Once the city reached 75% capacity, TBCD would initiate the process of building a new sewage plant.

“This is all about capital improvements,” Baker said. “It’s all about growth, and it’s not going to go away.”