Kempner City Council, in two separate meetings recently, approved the 2009-10 fiscal year budget and a property tax rate of 22.5 cents per $100 valuation.

The $284,000 budget is about $12,000 less than the 2008-09 budget, in spite of additional funding for construction of the Veterans Memorial and Sylvia Tucker Memorial Park.

Mayor Gene Isenhour said the city watches every expenditure very closely. "I sign every check that goes out. If we don't have the money, we don't buy it."

Isenhour said one cost-saving measure in the new budget is elimination of the mayor's salary. The salary has been budgeted in previous years, but Isenhour has not taken any salary since he took office.

Another saving is reflected in the cost of a new police patrol vehicle, as the bulk of the expenditure was paid from the current budget.

In following state regulations for general law cities, the council called a special meeting two days after the regular session to approve the property tax rate.

Mayor Pro Tem Paul Cook said the rate represents a slight 0.2-cent increase over the current levy. The city expects to collect an additional $1,056 in property tax revenue this year.

"Even with the increase, the Kempner tax rate is much lower than other area cities and units of government," said the council- man.

In other business at the regular meeting, Police Chief David Sheedy discussed the National Night Out slated for tonight at Taylor Creek Elementary School.

Sheedy said representatives from the Lampasas County Sheriff's Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Transportation, county animal control and area fire departments are expected to participate in the event. The police department is planning food, activities and identification kits for children, he added.

The council also approved a memorandum of understanding with Sheedy that gave approval for the police chief to use a police vehicle as a take-home car for business only.

The excess vehicle was replaced recently with a new Dodge Charger patrol car.

In the memorandum, Sheedy agrees to pay for gasoline and minor maintenance. The city will pay for insurance and repairs if the vehicle is used for official business or police emergencies.

Also, Isenhour updated the council on progress at the city park. He said base material has been placed at the site of the Veterans Memorial. Construction of the concrete base will be the next step.

The mayor added that more than 60 engraved stones to honor veterans have been purchased, and the stones will be placed in a Wall of Honor that will encircle the Veterans Memorial.

Anyone interested in buying a stone should contact Kempner City Hall for more information.

Kempner City Council will meet in regular session next on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.