• Tax Rate Dispute: Council members clashed over the 1883 tax rate, debating between 1%, 0.8%, and 0.75% levies on all property. Multiple voting attempts failed to reach consensus on how much residents should be taxed.
• Hospital Funding Proposal: Alderman Lamperez introduced an ordinance to set aside one-tenth of collected taxes specifically for hospital purposes—an early attempt to dedicate public funds to healthcare.
• Special Election Called: The Council voted to hold a special election in the eighth ward to fill an alderman seat left vacant after Alderman Moeller's removal from the area.
• Attendance Enforcement: Alderman Wilson was fined $1 for missing the meeting, showing the council took attendance seriously and had consequences for no-shows.
• Public Health Request: A resident named Mrs. Dooley petitioned the council for medical care for her sick children, which was referred to the Charity Committee for consideration.
Full Transcript
350)
Called meeting of the City Council Austin Texas August 03, 1883
Hon W Asaylor Mayor Presiding
Roll call present aldermen Metz Kinney Sawrance and Pfannekuche
On motion the Council was called and the Marshal sent after the absentees
Aldermen Schuber Plath and Huppertz came in and answered to their names.
A fine of one dollar was ordered against alderman Wilson for nonattendance at this meeting
Reading of the minutes of last meeting was postponed
Alderman Plath called up an ordinance levying one per cent advalorem tax for the year 1883. Alderman Kinney moved to amend the ordinance by striking out one per cent and insert 8/10 of 1 per cent and set aside for Hospital purposes 1/10 of 1 per cent.
Alderman Plath moved to lay the amendment on the table motion lost by the following vote. Yeas Pfannekuche, Huppertz and Plath nays Metz Kinney Sawrance and Schuber.
Alderman Kinney moved to adopt the amendment. motion lost by the following vote yeas Metz Kinney Sawrance and Schuber Nays Pfannekuche Huppertz and Plath the ordinance was read third time and the motion to pass the ordinance was lost
Alderman Kinney offered an ordinance which was read Providing for the levying and collecting for the year 1883. 3/4 of one per cent on all property real and personal situated in the City of Austin and made taxable by law for state and county purposes
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331 motion to table the ordinance was lost motion to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second reading was lost by the following vote yeas Fitz Lawrence and Schuler nays Ranne Kueche Lamperez and Bleith.
The following resolution was introduced and adopted by the Council Be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin That the Mayor be and is requested to issue his proclamation for a special election to be held in the eightward, for alderman of said ward to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Alderman Moeller from the said ward said election to be on such day as the Mayor may appoint pursuant to law The place of election to be at the County Court House The judges to be Messrs Richmond Duffenbaugh & W Ford.
Alderman Lamperez introduced an ordinance levying and collecting for the year 1883 one per cent on all property real and personal situated in the City of Austin and made taxable by law for State and county purposes. The ordinance also provides that one tenth of the amount collected for 1883 shall be set aside for hospital purposes. The ordinance was read first time
A letter was received from Mrs Dooley asking the Council to furnish medical attention for her sick children Referred to the Charity Committee I L Purcell City Clerk