Shawn Raborn To Retire Next Month The La Grange City Council voted on Monday, Aug. 8, to appoint Frank Menefee as interim city manager effective Sept.

The La Grange City Council proposed a property tax rate of $0.19953 at a meeting last Monday, Aug. 8.

Fayette County Commissioners have proposed a budget for next year that includes a spending deficit of about $270,000. Commissioners proposed the budget at a meeting last Thursday, Aug. 11. Spending in the proposed budget amounts to about $28.6 million with revenues at $28.33 million. The County will cover the deficit with its fund balance, which is expected to stand at about $5 million when the new budget year starts on Jan. 1, 2023. Most of the County’s revenue comes from property taxes. Commissioners have not yet formally proposed the property tax rate for next year. The budget they proposed last Thursday was calculated with a property tax rate of $0.44219 per $100 of taxable property, down from the current rate of $0.464. It is the highest rate they can set without triggering a tax election. The lower rate will actually raise taxes for the average property owner in Fayette County due to rising property values in the County. According to the proposed budget, county government spending will increase by about 6.5 percent next year. The budget includes a five percent raise for most employees and elected officials. The Commissioners included extra $2,000 raise for all jailers, dispatchers, the jail cook and the administrative assistant at the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Keith Korenek requested increased pay for those positions due to the difficulty he has faced in hiring qualified personnel.

Last Thursday, August 11, La Grange Elementary unveiled a new book vending machine for their students to use. Librarian Amy McCord suggested the idea of creating one for LGISD after seeing librarians from other schools share the impact of these machines on their campuses. Along with designer John Castaneda, she sketched out what the outside of the machine would look like and got feedback from both school administration and the PTO. After finalizing the design, they received the machine in June with plans to start using it in the Fall 2022 semester. Once the school year begins, each student will have the opportunity to earn a book or two from the machine in various ways.

Workers began demolishing the old Encore Cabinet building on Eblin St. in La Grange last week. City Manager Shawn Raborn reported last Monday that the city was working with the owner to clean up the property.

The Chess Club at the Randolph Recreation Center, located at 653 E. Pearl St. in La Grange, meets on Mondays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Free membership for ages 8 to adult. Free lessons provided by a scholastic chess coach (ret.) for grades 2-8. U.I.L. chess puzzles skills taught. For more information, email damccall314@gmail. com.