October Connection
CITY
CONNECTION
For full election information For full election information For full election information For full election information
in English and Spanish, visit in English and Spanish, visit in English and Spanish, visit in English and Spanish, visit
www.huntsvilletx.govwww.huntsvilletx.govwww.huntsvilletx.govwww.huntsvilletx.gov
Volume 9 ~ Issue 1
October 2012October 2012October 2012October 2012
Calendar
October 2012October 2012October 2012October 2012
2 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
1212 Avenue M
3 Yard Waste Trimming Collection
4 Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 12 p.m.
10 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
16 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m
17 Yard Waste Trimming Collection
18 Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
22 Early voting for 11-6 Election
begins - Ends November 2
24 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
31 Yard Waste Trimming Collection
November 2012November 2012November 2012November 2012
1 Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 12 p.m.
6 Regular General and Special
Election - see pages 2-3
7 Yard Waste Trimming Collection
13 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
14 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
15 Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
19 Special Session -
Canvass 11-6 Election
21 Yard Waste Trimming Collection
27 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
28 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
Submit requests for Heavy Trash pick-up
before noon on Monday, the week of the pick-up
at 294-5796.
The City of Huntsville completed a six-month budget process last month,
resulting in a $58,189,840 budget for fiscal year 2012-13 including a
four-cent tax increase and a deficit of approximately two percent.
According to Mayor Mac Woodward, the City Council and the City staff will
spend the coming months addressing the budget, keeping citizen needs
and levels of service in mind.
“Over the next few weeks and months, City Council – along with the City
Manager and City departments – will be looking at other options to close
the gap between revenues and expenses,” Woodward said. “We will also
be monitoring our revenues and hopefully we’ll have a good year with in-
creasing sales tax.
“We certainly want to be sensitive to the citizens of Huntsville, and to work
to ensure that they continue to receive the high quality of services they
deserve.”
City staff began work on the 2012-13 budget in March with informational
meetings and the development of department-level budgets. At the end of
May, preliminary budget reports were generated and presented to the City
Council during two sessions. Work continued in June and July to ensure
the proposed budget contained only essential components.
During this time – from May until the end of August – the City held numer-
ous workshops which were open to the public and allowed the City Council
and staff to discuss different options to reduce expenditures.
In August, the Walker County Appraisal District provided the City with an
official effective tax rate for fiscal year 2012-13. Due to the effective rate
being lower than the tax rate in place at the time, and a minimal increase
in new property value, the City Council voted on August 7 to provide the
City the option of increasing the effective rate to .4206. The increase
would generate an additional $451,621 in property tax revenue to the
General Fund.
During the months of August and September, two tax hearings and a
budget hearing were held to allow the citizens an opportunity to express
any concerns with the possibility of a tax increase and the proposed budg-
et. Following the hearings, the Council passed the budget on September
12.
How much does the tax increase affect you?How much does the tax increase affect you?How much does the tax increase affect you?How much does the tax increase affect you?
The tax rate for the FY 2011-12 fiscal year was .3915 cents per $100
valuation. Per the Walker County Appraisal District, the effective tax
rate for FY 2012-13 was .3806 cents per $100 valuation.
When City Council set the tax rate at.4206, they raised the rate ap-
proximately four cents above the WCAD effective rate. The resulting
rate of .4206 was approximately three cents over FY 2011-12 rates.
The four-cent increase requires the average homeowner - with their
home valued at $131,494.00 - to pay approximately $52.60 a year in
additional taxes, or $4.38 per month.
Compared to FY 2011-12, the increase to average homeowners is
approximately $39.45 a year, or $3.29 a month.
Budget overview for FY 2012Budget overview for FY 2012Budget overview for FY 2012Budget overview for FY 2012----13131313
Where Do I Vote on Election Day? (Donde votare el dia de la eleccion?)
On Election Day, voters will report to their precinct polling places as set out below:
(En el Dia De Eleccion, votantes se reportaran a su lugar de votacion del recinto escrito abajo:)
Precinct (Recinto) Polling Place (Sitios de Votacion)
101, Ward 3 - (101, Sala 3) Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue, Suite 101
102, Ward 1 - (102, Sala 1) Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue, Suite 101
201, Ward 2 - (201, Sala 2) First Presbyterian Church, 1801 19th Street
205, Ward 4 - (205, Sala 4) Elkins Lake Recreation Conference Center, 634 Cherry Hills
206, Ward 2 - (206, Sala 2) Huntsville Fire Station No. 1; 1987 Veterans Memorial Parkway
301, Ward 3 - (301, Sala 3) Huntsville ISD Transportation Building, 95 Martin Luther King
401, Ward 4 - (401, Sala 4) University Heights Baptist Church, 2400 Sycamore Avenue
The polling places shall be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
(Los sitios de votacion estaran abiertos de 7:00a.m. a 7:00p.m. en el dia de las elecciones.)
SAMPLE BALLOT -
REGULAR ELECTION
Councilmember, At-Large Position One
[] James Fitch
Councilmember, At-Large Position Two
[] Lydia Montgomery
Councilmember, At-Large Position Three
[] Joe Rodriguez
[] Don Johnson
Councilmember, At-Large Position Four
[] Kendall Scudder
[] Keith Olson
In Walker County, there are several entities having a joint election and due to the makeup of the voting boxes across the
county, voters qualify to vote one of the twenty-six (26) different ballot styles based on their registration. All ballots are double
-sided, legal size and will include federal, state, and county offices. However, on the back side of the ballot is where the differ-
ences will come in based on where you live. If applicable, your ballot may also include the Huntsville Independent School Dis-
trict and/or the City of Huntsville. Or if applicable, your ballot may include the New Waverly Independent School District and/
or the City of New Waverly. Applicable ballots in Precincts 1 and 2 will also include a special election for the creation of an
Emergency Services District. We ask for your patience at the polls and encourage you to pick up a sample ballot at the Walk-
er County Annex, Elections Department Rm 114. The sample ballot provides the order the contests and candidates will ap-
pear on the ballot for every political subdivision on the Walker County Joint Election. These ballots will also be posted on the
county website at www.co.walker.tx.us. On the homepage, just click on the “Current Election(s)” tab on the left for more infor-
mation or call our office at (936) 436-4959.
Information from the Walker County Elections Department:
Ballot by mail is also available to those that qualify. If a voter will be over 65
years of age or older on Election Day, has a disability, or will be outside the
county during early voting hours and on Election Day, the voter can apply to
vote by mail. Simply submit a completed and signed Application for a Ballot
by Mail to the address above. Call our office for more information at (936)
436-4959.
Registered voters can vote with a voter registration card, driver’s license or
any official photo ID, birth certificate, United States citizenship papers or
passport, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement or other official docu-
ment that shows the name and address of the voter.
Curbside Voting service is available to any voter who has difficulty walking or
standing for long periods. If you have an assistant with you, when you arrive
at poll place whether you’re voting early or on Election Day, have them notify
the election official at that time. The election official will then bring your ballot
to your car outside the polling location. If you do not have an assistant,
please pull up in one of the designated “curbside-alert” parking spots which
will automatically notify the election clerk that you want to vote curbside.
Pct. 103 - Cook Springs Baptist Church
1936-A SH 75 N
Pct. 104 - Northside Baptist Church
1207 FM 980
Pct. 203 - West Sandy Civic Center
Corner FM 3179 & FM 1791
Pct. 204 - Walker County Fairgrounds
3925 SH 30 W
Pct. 302 - Calvary Baptist Church
1135 U. S. Hwy 190
Pct. 303 - Dodge Volunteer Fire Department
28 Dodge Oakhurst Road
Pct. 304/305 - Riverside Fire Department
2341 FM 980
Pct. 402/403 - Phelps First Methodist Church
Dorrell Road @ Watson Lake Road
Pct. 404 - New Waverly First Baptist Church
460 Fisher Street, New Waverly, Texas 77358
County-wide precincts and
polling places
City-wide precincts and polling places
When is Election Day? (Cuando es el Dia de Eleccion?)
Walker County will hold a Joint Election including the City of Huntsville on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
(La Ciudad de Huntsville y el districto independiente escolar de Huntsville sostendran una eleccion unida
el Martes 6 de Noviembre del 2012.)
Am I registered to vote? (Estoy registrado para votar?)
In order to vote in this election, you must be a registered voter of the particular political subdivision. The
last day to register to vote for the November 6 election is OCTOBER 9, 2012.
If you are not sure if your voter registration is current you may call (936)436-4959 or visit:
https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/Introduction.jsp or www.co.walker.tx.us
(Para poder votar en esta eleccion tiene que ser un votante registrado de la division politica particular. Si
no esta seguro si su registracion para votar esta vigente puede llamar (936)436-4959 o visite nuestra
pagina de web arriba.)
Where do I go for early voting? (A donde voy para votar temprano?)
There will be two Early Voting Polling Place for all entities:
(1) The Main Early Voting site will be the Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue, Suite 101,
Huntsville, Texas; and
(2) a temporary Branch Early Voting Site at the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum Complex, a.k.a. Walker
County Storm Shelter at 455 State Highway 75 North.
Early Voting By Personal Appearance at Walker County Annex:
October 22 - November 2, 2012 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
October 23 and 30 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
October 27 - 28 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Early Voting By Personal Appearance at H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum:
October 27 - 28 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
**Remember to bring proper identification to the polling place. The most common forms of identification used are a
voter registration certificate or driver’s license.**
[1] El Anexo del Condado de Walker (Walker County Annex), 1301 Sam Houston Avenue, Room 101, Hun-
tsville, Texas 77340, es por la presente designado como el lugar principal para votar por anticipado en las
elecciones. Durante el período legal para votar por anticipado, dicho secretario deberá mantener abierto
dicho lugar para votar por anticipado desde las 8:00 A.M. hasta las 5:00 P.M. lunes hasta viernes del 22
de octubre al del 2 de noviembre; y desde las 7:00 A.M. hasta las 7:00 P.M., los días martes 23 y miérco-
les 30 de octubre, de 2012; y desde la 1:00 P.M. hasta las 5:00 P.M., el sábado Octubre 27, 2012 y el
domingo Octubre 28, 2012; excepto días festivos estatales oficiales.
[2] La Rama de Votacion Temprana Sitio será en el H.E.A.R.T.S. El Complejo del Museo de Veteranos, conocido co-
mo El Refugio de Tormenta del Condado de Walker en la 455 carretera nacional 75 del norte (H.E.A.R.T.S. Vete-
rans Museum Complex, a.k.a. Walker County Storm Shelter at 455 State Highway 75 North). Durante el
período legal para votar por anticipado, dicho secretario deberá mantener abierto dicho lugar para votar
por anticipado desde solo la 1:00 P.M. hasta las 5:00 P.M., el sábado Octubre 27, 2012 y el domingo Oc-
tubre 28, 2012.
**Recuerde de traer identificacion suficiente a el lugar de votacion. Las formas mas comunes de identificacion son la
targeta certificada para votar o su licencia de conducir.**
November 6, 2012 General and Special Election informationNovember 6, 2012 General and Special Election informationNovember 6, 2012 General and Special Election informationNovember 6, 2012 General and Special Election information
Page 3 October October October October 2012 CITY CONNECTION
“How do I know which
polling place to use?”
For a map of the City and assistance determining
updated ward boundaries, visit www.huntsvillegis.com
and select the City Map at the bottom of the page.
The map provides both ward and precinct boundaries.
Page 4 CITY CONNECTION
With Halloween night just around the corner, the Huntsville Police Depart-
ment has a few safety tips for families to remember as they set off for
Trick-or-Treating.
According to HPD Lieutenant Jim Barnes, the following common sense
safety tips can ensure that kids are safe both during Halloween festivities
and once they’ve returned home.
~ Parents or other adults should always escort groups of small children going
Trick-or-Treating.
~ Children should wear easily recognizable or reflective costumes, and should
also stay away from masks that obstruct their view.
~Trick-or-Treaters should avoid staying out past dark, even though extra HPD
patrol cars will be watching neighborhoods.
~Trick-or-Treaters should always get candy from friends, family members or
neighbors, and NEVER eat anything that hasn’t been inspected by an adult
~Do not approach houses that do not have their lights on.
~Everyone should stay aware of traffic, exercise caution when driving or walking
on Halloween night.
~If possible, carry a flashlight or attach a light device to your child’s costume or
candy container.
~Children should not be on trailers or hayrides on public roads, or in the back of
pick-up trucks.
For more information, contact the HPD at (936) 291-5480.
The City of Huntsville Main Street Pro-
gram will host the 10th Annual Scare
on the Square on Saturday, October
27, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
According to Main Street Coordinator
Kim McAuliffe, attendants will see
many of the features of past events,
including costume contests, game
booths and free candy. However, sev-
eral new features have been added to
make the event more fun for the entire
family.
Admission for the event will be $1 for
adults and children over 5, while chil-
dren under 5 will receive free admis-
sion.
“Working in collaboration with several
community and SHSU organizations to
bring spooky family-friendly fun to
downtown, this 10-year milestone
promises to be the best Scare on the
Square yet,” she said. “We’ve made
several changes, including food ven-
dors selling fair favorites like funnel
cakes, corn dogs, kettle corn, pork
skins, snow cones, sausage on a stick.
“Also, ‘Drac’s Back’ – the Huntsville
Community Theatre production – will
be in its opening weekend, and it
would be a perfect way for families to
end the night.”
As in previous years, free candy and
trick-or-treat bags as well as free Nes-
tle chocolate milk will be will be provid-
ed while supplies last.
“We’ll have around 40 booths featur-
ing games, crafts, food and drinks and
more,” McAuliffe said. “We will also
have activities like bone-yard bowling,
face painting, bean bag tosses, as well
as two moonwalks.
“There will also be a costume contest,
and the winners will receive cash priz-
es, so our judges will be looking for a
lot of creativity in our contestants’ out-
fits. Finally, Oakwood Cemetery tours
led by the Walker County Historical
Commission will be available, and His-
torical Huntsville Ghost tours will be
booking tours for the fall season.”
For more information, contact
McAuliffe at (936) 291-5920.
10th Annual Scare on 10th Annual Scare on 10th Annual Scare on 10th Annual Scare on
the Square the Square the Square the Square ---- Oct. 27Oct. 27Oct. 27Oct. 27
Halloween SafetySafetySafetySafety Tips
Stats for August 2012Stats for August 2012Stats for August 2012Stats for August 2012
Fire:Fire:Fire:Fire:
Police:Police:Police:Police:
Police/Fire: Police/Fire: Police/Fire: Police/Fire:
Calls for service: 4457
Accidents investigated: 94
Animal Control complaints investigated:71
Calls for service:124
Main alarm calls:18
Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closuresSolid Waste/Recycling holiday closuresSolid Waste/Recycling holiday closuresSolid Waste/Recycling holiday closures
Thursday, November 22, 2012:
No residential garbage or recycling collection
No Commercial garbage collection
Facility closed
Friday, November 23, 2012
No residential garbage or recycling collection
Commercial garbage collection will run
Facility closed