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On Wednesday night, the Board of Mason Creek Utility District cut taxes by more than 25%. The Board set a 1998 tax rate of 45 cents per $100, down from 60.5 cents in 1997. The District
serves most of Nottingham Country subdivision located generally between Fry Road and Westgreen, south of Interstate Highway 10.
"We're just thrilled," said Board President Len Forsyth. "We
are getting close to repaying all the District's bonds so the cost of debt service is getting lower, and the tax rate can go down, too," he explained. Board member Leon King added: "Homes in
Nottingham Country have held their value, and now they are increasing in value. This helps reduce taxes." Most of the homes were built in the 1970's and 1980's, and the streets are lined with oaks and
other large, well-established trees. Also, as Mr. King pointed out, "Nottingham Country has a great community association and some of the most well established schools and churches in the area."
Tom Barlow, also a member of the Board, said that "conservative fiscal management" had made it possible to lower the tax rate. He noted that the Board had carefully preserved the District's debt service
reserve funds. "These built up for mare than 20 years," he said, "and now the residents of Nottingham Country will receive all the benefits." Board treasurer Lou Perry observed that much
of the credit should go to Mr. J.B. Phipps, Jr., a long-time resident who served as a District official for more than 25 years. "He really took care of the District's funds, always making sure they were
properly invested," said Perry. Mr. Phipps died last year.
The district has recently entered into a long-term land agreement with Nottingham Country Community Improvement Association to develop a
five-acre park on Rennie Drive, just south of Kingsland Boulevard. "The new park will be a great asset for Nottingham Country. It will have a walking track, pavilion, play equipment and open
space," said Mason Creek Board Member Larry Beustring. "This is one of the best projects I have ever had the honor to work on." |
