Kempner City Council last week approved the city’s draft 2010-11 fiscal-year budget. The budget was finalized at a previous workshop session.

A copy of the proposed budget is available for review at City Hall.

Projected revenues and expenditures total $317,648. This represents an increase of approximately 7 percent from $295,621 in the 2009-10 fiscal year.

The balanced budget is based on a tax rate of 24.6 cents per $100 property valuation.

As Kempner is considering construction of a new municipal building, a construction budget and interest and sinking fund will be added to the city budget.

Public hearings on the proposed budget and tax rate will take place Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The council will consider adoption of the budget and tax rate following the hearings during the regular council meeting.

In other action, the Kempner council authorized the city’s financial adviser -- Special Public Finance of Austin -- to solicit bids for $425,000 Series 10 tax notes. The funding will be used to finance the purchase of property and construction of a new City Hall. Approximately $450,000 would cover all related costs, including architectural fees, utilities and landscaping of the property.

The financial adviser will conduct a competitive sale of the tax notes and sell to one entity at the best interest rate.

Also last week, Pedernales Electric Cooperative representative Greg Buck updated the council on PEC activities in the area. Buck said there is very little new construction due to the slow economy.

“PEC is concentrating on maintenance and upgrade of feeder lines,” he said. “Any new construction is small jobs.”

Buck added that after recent elections, the entire PEC Board of Directors is chosen by members. “The board is presently looking to hire a new general manager,” he noted.

The PEC representative recommended that members set their airconditioner thermostats at 78 degrees. “This will reduce your electric bill, as any 1 degree lower than 78 will increase your bill by 3 percent.”

In other business, Mayor Gene Isenhour said construction of the city park’s restrooms -- being performed by members of the 36th Engineer Brigade -- should begin soon. Also, several canopies for picnic tables have been completed.

Kempner City Council will meet next in regular session on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.