Who may ask to rezone a property?
A zoning change can be requested by the property owner, by someone the owner authorizes to act for them, or by an authorized agent of a prospective buyer. The process starts when a zoning application and the required fee are filed with the Planning Division.
Why does the City Council allow buildings to sit empty?
The law gives neither the City Council nor city staff the power to make a property owner fill a vacant building with a business.
Why is Fredville seeing so much apartment construction?
Demand for multifamily rental housing is strong right now. When land already carries multifamily zoning, the City Council has no legal authority to turn the project down; it can only make sure the development is built to a high standard.
If someone applies to build apartments on land already zoned for multifamily use, can the council say no?
No. The council may not deny it, but it does make sure the project's design and quality comply with the city's Unified Development Code (UDC).
Can the council reject a development that needs a zoning change?
Yes. A rezoning request may be denied when it does not fit the use shown on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM).
Is a rezoning that requires a Specific Use Permit (SUP) up to the council?
Yes. Rezonings that call for a Specific Use Permit may be approved or turned down by the City Council.
Can the council approve apartments in a zoning district where multifamily housing is not allowed?
Not directly. The project would first need a zoning change, along with a concept plan and a site plan, each approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and then by the City Council.
Why can't Fredville land the grocery store, restaurant or shop residents want?
The city actively recruits businesses and encourages them to consider Fredville, but it cannot require any company to open here. Location decisions come down to supply and demand. Developers and retailers weigh population density, the number of households, local spending patterns, demographics, traffic counts, access, competing stores and many other factors when they choose the sites most likely to succeed.
How is my property tax calculated?
Start with the appraised value set by the appraisal district, subtract any exemptions, and multiply the result by the city's share of the tax rate, which is 62 cents per $100 of value.
- Formula: (appraised value minus exemptions) times the tax rate, divided by 100
- Example: a home appraised at $210,000 with the 15 percent homestead exemption of $31,500
City tax = ($210,000 - $31,500) x (.62)/100
In that example, the owner would pay $1,107 to the City of Fredville.
The city's share is only about 28% of a typical total property tax bill. The other taxing units are:
- FVISD: 48%
- The eastern county's hospital district: 9%
- The community college district: 5%
- The county: 10%
Rising appraisals can raise the amount owed, but Fredville's property tax rate has not risen in more than 20 years and has been trimmed several times.
Where does my sales tax go?
Fredville's total sales tax rate is 8.25%, divided as follows:
- State of Texas: 6.25%
- City of Fredville General Fund: 1%
- Street maintenance and repair, approved by voters: 0.375%
- Crime Control and Prevention District, approved by voters to hire, train and equip police officers: 0.25%
- Ongoing park improvements, approved by voters: 0.125%
- Building and operating city recreation centers, approved by voters: 0.25%
Does Fredville have a homestead exemption?
When the home you own is your primary residence on January 1, the city exempts 15 percent of its appraised value from city property taxes, subject to the minimum exemption amount set by state law.
Homeowners who are 65 or older on January 1 may apply at the appraisal district for an additional $40,000 exemption. Filing for this senior exemption also freezes your city property tax amount, so it will not rise even if your home's value goes up. You may also qualify for a disability or disabled veteran exemption; contact your appraisal district for details:
- The eastern county's appraisal district: (555) 010-5645
- The western county's appraisal district: (555) 010-2833
How does the senior tax freeze work?
Once you are 65 by January 1, you can apply at the appraisal district for an extra $40,000 exemption on your property's value, and your city taxes are locked at that year's amount and will never go higher. Disability and disabled veteran exemptions may also be available. Contact the county appraisal district at (555) 010-5645.
Do property taxes pay for Fredville Municipal Airport?
No. The airport pays its own way through the revenue it brings in, plus Federal Aviation Administration grants that are funded by a federal excise tax on aviation fuel.
What does my city property tax buy?
For a Fredville home appraised at the city average of $265,000, the city's share of the property tax bill after the 15 percent homestead exemption works out to about $116 a month, less than many households spend on cable or internet service.
Here is how the city uses that monthly amount:
- $54: police, fire, ambulance, code compliance and animal services
- $23: administration and support services
- $6: upkeep of streets, signals, streetlights and signs
- $5: parks, recreation and the arts
- $4: planning, development and other services
- $2: library services for learning and information
- $22: debt payments and capital projects, such as new streets and other public infrastructure
What is the General Fund, and where does its money come from?
The General Fund covers the city's everyday operating costs.
Its revenue comes from property tax (47%), sales tax (27%) and other fees and charges for service (26%).
If the city relied on property taxes alone, they would cover only police and about half of fire services.
What does it cost to put another patrol car on the street around the clock?
A new patrol vehicle, plus the four shifts of officers needed to keep it in service 24/7, costs roughly $620,000 per year.
What does it cost to add a fire station or an ambulance?
Staffing and equipping a fire station runs close to $2,450,000 a year. A new ambulance costs over $365,000 to buy and nearly $790,000 a year to operate with paramedics on board.
How does Fredville tap water compare in price to bottled water?
For roughly $6.10, the city delivers 1,000 gallons of water to your home whenever you need it, and for roughly $5.40 it carries away 1,000 gallons of wastewater at any hour. At the store, about $5 buys a 24-pack of bottled water, which holds only about 3 gallons.
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