The Development Corporation of Abilene historically has had an image problem, something that Misty Mayo, its president and CEO, and Jack Rich, its board president, understand.
They also are quick to say they want to change that perception, while admitting that the complexity and – at times – secrecy required to brew economic development deals can appear akin to spycraft with its endless code names.
“It s hard to break through and to make those things clear, especially in today s world where there s so many ways to communicate,” Rich said. That can be a source of misinformation as much as accurate reports.
“But that s what the goal is, that s what we re trying to do is to coordinate all of those efforts, he said.
Preliminary property values in the city, county and school districts are up in Taylor county.
As always, those who want to contest their valuation have time to make their case to the Taylor County Appraisal Review Board.
The Taylor County Central Appraisal District mailed 75,953 notices April 30.
Individuals have until May 31, or 30 days after notice of appraised value received via mail, whichever is later.
All estimates are preliminary. Certification of property values is slated July 25.
Around 7,000 to 10,000 property owners protest yearly, said Gary Earnest, who heads the appraisal district.
Consistent growth
This year’s property value increases are “fairly consistent” with what would be expected, he said.
Abilene City Council OKs downtown entertainment district board reporternews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reporternews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Downtown entertainment district board returns to Abilene council agenda
The Abilene City Council is scheduled again to take on approval and appointment of a downtown entertainment district advisory board.
The public portion of Thursday s regular meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Abilene City Hall, 555 Walnut St.
Tabled at the council smeeting April 8, the item would create a board to study a downtown entertainment area thatwould allow people to buy an alcoholic drink and then travel from location to location in a specified area, carrying the beverage.
City Manager Robert Hanna said after the previous meeting, at which the item was tabled, the council wanted to reflect further on the charges for the task force.
A design-build agreement with DPR Construction for the city s planned downtown convention center hotel is on Thursday s Abilene City Council agenda.
Also to be discussed are a number of plans for airport improvements and appointment of a board to study an entertainment district downtown. This is not a notice to proceed, City Manager Robert Hanna clarified in a media briefing Monday. So it doesn t mean we approve this and then we suddenly start construction on the hotel.
The step is an important one, Hanna said, though exactly when the project would start seeing overt forward motion still is dynamic. If I knew exactly the date, I d have an agenda item on here that talks about issuing debt, he said. So I don t have that date certain yet.