§ 36.18 SECURITY.

   The successful firm selected as the city depository shall be required to pledge securities with the City Commission for the purpose of securing city funds in an amount equal to the amount of the city funds on deposit with it. Securities of the following kind shall be acceptable: United States bonds, certificates of indebtedness of the United States, treasury notes of the United States and other evidence of indebtedness of the United States which are guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States government, bonds of the state or of any county, independent school district, common school district or other school districts in the state, notes or bonds issued by mortgagees insured and debentures issued by the Federal Housing Administrator of the United States government, and bonds issued by municipal corporations of the state. Securities so pledged shall be approved as to kind and value by the City Commission. When the securities so pledged shall be in excess of the amount required under the provisions of this section, the City Commission shall permit the release of such excess. The right of substitution of securities shall be granted to the depository; providing, the securities substituted meet the requirements of this subchapter and are approved by the City Commission.

(1998 Code, § 2-164)

PAYMENT OF FEES AND OTHER COSTS BY CREDIT CARD OR ELECTRONIC MEANS

§ 36.30 DEFINITIONS.

   For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   CREDIT CARD. A card, plate or similar device used to make purchases on credit or to borrow money.

   PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. Payment by telephone or computer, but does not include payment in person or by mail.

(1998 Code, § 2-185) (Ord. 99-38, passed 7-21-1999)

§ 36.31 PAYMENT OF FEES OR COSTS BY CREDIT CARD OR ELECTRONIC MEANS.

   (A)   The Director of Finance is authorized to collect fees, fines, court costs or other charges by:

      (1)   Accepting payment by credit card or electronic means of a fee, fine, court cost or other charge; and

      (2)   Collecting a fee for processing the payment by credit card or electronic means.

   (B)   The Director of Finance may contract with a company that issues credit cards for processing the payment of a fee, fine, court cost or other charge by credit card or electronic means.

(1998 Code, § 2-186) (Ord. 99-38, passed 7-21-1999)

§ 36.32 PROCESSING OR HANDLING FEE.

   The Director of Finance shall set a processing fee in an amount that is reasonably related to the expense incurred in processing the payment by credit card. The processing fee shall not exceed 5% of the amount of the fee, court cost or other charge being paid.

(1998 Code, § 2-187) (Ord. 99-38, passed 7-21-1999)

§ 36.33 SERVICE CHARGE.

   If, for any reason, a payment by credit card is not honored by the credit card company on which the funds are drawn, the Director of Finance may collect a service charge from the person who owes the fee, fine, court cost or other charge. The service charge is in addition to the original fee, fine, court cost or other charge and is for the collection of the original amount. The amount of the service charge shall be $25.

(1998 Code, § 2-188) (Ord. 99-38, passed 7-21-1999)

TAXATION

§ 36.45 AD VALOREM TAXES TO BE PAID BEFORE CERTAIN PERMITS AND LICENSES ISSUED.

   In addition to all other requirements established by this code or city ordinance, before the granting of any permit or license for the sale of alcoholic beverages or for the operation of taxicabs, restaurants, trailer camps, dancehalls or any other business which is licensed by the city under this code or city ordinances or bylaws of the state, whether named in this section or not, including, but not limited to, licenses or permits for all occupations, professions, trades, vocations or businesses upon which a state license tax or occupation tax is levied by the state, it shall be a condition precedent to the granting thereof that the applicant shall have up to that time paid all ad valorem taxes and penalty and interest, if any, due by the applicant to the city.

(1998 Code, § 114-1)

§ 36.46 HOMESTEAD AND DISABILITY EXEMPTIONS.

   (A)   Homestead and disability exemptions will be provided by the City Commission (under Tex. Tax Code Ch. 11) as follows:

      (1)   Residence homestead exemption. Tex. Tax Code § 11.13, family or single adult is entitled to an exemption from taxation for the county purposes authorized in Article VIII, § 1-a, of the Texas Constitution of $3,000 of the assessed value of his or her residence homestead;

      (2)   Over 65 homestead exemption. Tex. Tax Code § 11.13, $20,000 of the appraised value; and

      (3)   Disability homestead exemption. Tex. Tax Code § 11.13, a disabled person exemption of $10,000 is allowed in addition to the residence homestead exemption. This exemption will be granted to persons who meet the definition of “disabled” as set out by the County Central Appraisal District. An eligible disabled person who is 65 years of age or older may not receive both a disabled and an elderly residence homestead exemption, but may choose either. The homestead exemption for the disabled shall become effective for the tax year 1991.

   (B)   Individuals claiming any of the exemptions provided for in this section must timely file with the Chief Appraiser of the County Central Appraisal District.

(1998 Code, § 114-2)

Statutory reference:

   Similar provisions, see Tex. Tax Code § 11.13(m)