During a recent city council meeting in Port Arthur, a significant motion was passed to ratify a property tax increase as part of the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Councilor Kinlaw introduced the motion, which aims to generate an additional $1,794,627 in revenue, reflecting a 7.34% increase over the previous year's budget. This increase includes $339,559 expected from new properties added to the tax roll.

The motion was met with a roll call vote, where the majority of council members expressed their support. Council members Beckham, Dusett, Frank, Hamilton Everfield, and Kinlaw all voted in favor, while Mayor Barty cast the sole dissenting vote, emphasizing the need for transparency in the council's decisions.

Following the approval of the tax increase, the council proceeded to discuss Ordinance 7266, which pertains to the overall budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This ordinance is set to govern the city's financial operations from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, and will be subject to a roll call vote in the near future. The council's discussions reflect ongoing efforts to address the city's financial needs while balancing the implications for local taxpayers.