Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 25

METRO STATE Friday, July 25, 2003 American-Statesman statesman.com Section We're all just horrified at the thought of Deep Eddy without its cottonwood trees' Travis plain 78th LEGISLATURE: SPECIAL SESSION Bill would boosts tax rate by 14 WT Budget at a glance Proposed budget: $460.7 million, up 2.5 percent Proposed 2004 tax rate: 49.58 cents per $100 of property value Effective tax rate: 49.64 cents per $100 of property value Next year's average tax bill: For the average-value home, valued at $191,388 this year, the tax would be $759.12. This year's average bill: For the average-value home, valued at $189,796, the tax was $707.56. Major changes: $5.9 million In cuts, Including $2.4 million from the sheriff's department Hearings: Proposed for Sept. 24 and 30 Commissioners say they'll look for more budget cuts to ease blow to homeowners By Robert W. Gee AMKWCAN-STATKSMAN STAFF The Travis County property tax rate would increase by 14 percent a nearly $52 increase in the tax bill for the owner of the average-value home under a preliminary budget released Thursday by the county budget office.

The proposed rate 49.58 cents per $100 of assessed valuation is about 6 cents higher than last year's rate, but about a half-cent less than the effective tax rate. The effective rate is the rate needed to raise the same amount of money as the previous year, excluding new construction. But because commercial property values plummeted last year and the assessed values of residential properties increased slightly, homeowners would bear a greater tax burden. Some county commissioners think that burden is too great and say they will aim to trim the budget in the coming weeks. "Is it going to be fun doing it? Absolutely not.

But it's something that's necessary," Commissioner Gerald Daugherty said. Commissioners will discuss the budget in meetings with county departments in the coming weeks; it will be the subject of public hearings in September. Commissioners relieve Strayhorn of duties Reorganization targets e-Texas, school district performance reviews I'lM STAI'P A.NI WIHK HITS The state Senate voted Thursday to take two high-profile jobs away from Comptroller Carole Keeton Stray-horn's office, drawing a vehement protest from Strayhorn, who often has tangled with lawmakers over budget issues. As part of a catchall government reorganization bill that passed 18-12, Strayhorn's office would lose responsibility for e-Texas, a research effort that scours the state budget for inefficiency and makes recommendations on how to save money. Strayhorn's office also no longer vould conduct performance reviews of Texas school districts.

Both programs, which potentially generate savings and favorable publicity, would be shifted to the Legislative Budget Board, which is appointed by the House and Senate. "I hope this is not some form of political retribution for my efforts to be a staunch defender of taxpayer dollars," Strayhorn said in a written statement. "I hope cooler heads will prevail in the House." Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, the sponsor of Senate Bill 22, said pursuit of better government, not politics, was behind the changes. "The concept of moving e-Texas to the Legislative Budget Board is not an act of See DUTY, B6 Williamson body to vote on project of member Limmer says he won't decide fate of water district for family land By Kate Alexander STAFF The Williamson County Commissioners Court could approve next week a proposed water district on rural property owned by Commissioner Frankie Lim-mer's family.

The commissioners are set to vote on the family's request to create a water control and improvement district near Hutto on 548 acres of undeveloped land, much of which has been in the family of Limmer's wife, Judy, since 1937. The new governmental status, which would give tax-exempt financing options and condemnation powers to an elected board, would help with development of the property. Limmer said he would recuse himself from Tuesday's discussion and vote because of his family's involvement. The family wants the district See VOTE, B5 are scheduled to pass a budget on Sept. 30 that would go into effect Oct.

1. "For the average voter, I know that the cumulative impact would be substantial, so I think we should do our part to reduce that," County Judge Sam Biscoe said. He said he would like to cut $9 million to $18 million from the $460.7 million budget, but that it was too early to identify areas to cut. In the proposed budget, six positions are left unfilled for a savings of $190,000 and the sheriff's department staff is cut by 43 positions through attrition. But 37 full-time county positions would be See COUNTY, B5 Laura Skeldlng photos AN-STATFSMAN Six towering cottonwood trees, which have graced the grounds of Deep Eddy Pool for about 80 years, will be cut down next week.

An infestation of cottonwood borers is killing tree limbs, which could fall and Injure people, city officials said. The pool will be closed Tuesday. Deep Eddy is losing some old, old friends Long Center CEO resigns after delays 4 i iiiiih tmmH'tlimii id, I By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz AMF.UK 'AS-HTATIiSMAN STAFF- Deep Eddy Pool is a special place. It was the first outdoor concrete pool in Texas.

Its cool, spring-fed waters soothe waders and lap swimmers alike. Its huge cottonwood trees, thought to be about 80 years old, cast dappled shade suitable for reading, playing cards or napping. This idyllic setting along Town Lake is about to become a little less idyllic. Six of the cottonwoods will be removed next week for safety reasons, City of Austin officials said Thursday. The trees are infested with cottonwood borers and could lose limbs or collapse altogether.

"Even a small limb is dangerous when it's falling from 90 feet up," said Jay Culver, a city forester. Crews removed numerous dead limbs a year ago, but others have since died. In addition, fungi growing at the base of the trees indicates that roots are decaying. Insecticides, which would have to be applied three times a week on an ongoing basis, are not considered an option in an area with so much public use. The city has no choice but to remove the trees, said Warren Struss, operations division manager for the Parks and Recreation Department.

He said about 15 replacement trees oaks, elms and other long-lived species would be planted, in accordance with the city's tree-protection ordinance. Pool users said they understood but were Fleming says he'd rather not put career on hold while waiting for the center to open By Jeanne Claire van Ryzin AMKUK'AN-KTATFSMAN Ali'I'S WKITFIt David Fleming, president and chief executive officer of the Long Center for the Performing Arts, announced his resignation Thursday, saying he'd taken a Job in Wisconsin. The resignation is effective Sept. 30. Fleming, 53, said his resignation was prompted by delays in building the Long Center and byreceivingajoboffer that matched his career goals.

"What I've done for 25 years is run theaters. And when I came (to the Long Center), it looked like I would be doing that by 2003-04," he said. "But a number of things have happened, and now it might not be until 2007 or 2008 before (the Long Center opens). I just couldn't wait that long." Fleming's decision came less than a week after supporters of the Long Center, which will be on the south shore of Town Lake downtown, said they are considering whether to build the $110 million, multivenue facility in phases, rather than all at once, to speed its development. Long Center officials said they'll get started right away on a search for Fleming's replacement.

Dwayne Cooper, the organization's director of finance and administration, will assume interim CEO duties effective Oct, 1 until the position is filled permanently. "Dave brought great passion and excitement to the'Long Center project, and we will miss (his) leadership," said Joe Long, chairman of the Long Center's board of trustees. Long and his wife, Teresa Lozano Long, donated $20 million to the cause. "However, we realize this was an opportunity he just couldn't pass up, and we wish him well in his new position." Fleming came to the Long Center three years ago from the New Brunswick Cultural See ARTS, B3 Fungus on the base of the trees indicates that roots are decaying, city officials said. Because the pool is used by so many people, applying insecticides is not an option.

nevertheless disappointed. "We're all just horrified at the thought of Deep Eddy without its cottonwood trees," said Tracy Kuhn, who swims several times a week with her family, "The little leaves tinkle it's a special sound. It's part of the whole Deep Eddy experience." Kuhn said regular pool users are planning a gathering at Deep Eddy to honor the cottonwoods before they are cut down. The pool will close Tuesday, with the shallow end remaining closed through Friday. Additional closings could be necessary depending on how the work goes, said Kim Jamail, an administrative manager for the parks department.

Hey UT, seal is no reason to rake Barbecue Club over the coals ttjhn Kelso "I mean, I get the comedy behind it. But if somebody Just looks at it, it looks like the seal of the university," said Craig Westemeier, director of UT's office of trademark licensing. He sent an e-mail to club members and asked them to remove the seal from their Web site after someone in the university's legal affairs office tipped him off about it. It's nice to know the legal affairs office has enough spare time to involve itself in such urgent matters as badgering a bunch of kids who visit a dif- See KELSO, B6 You'd think a major institution with Texas as part of its name would have enough sense to revere barbecue, not mess with it. But that's not the case at the University of Texas, which is attacking a club made up of its own students who hold in esteem the sacred principle of wood-smoked meat and a side order of potato salad.

The UT office of trademark licensing is going after the UT student Barbecue Club for using a seal that UT says is the UT seal. Although the university's seal reads, "Disciplina Praesidium Civita- 5 6 iV -Hi i A tis," or "Education, the Guardian of Society," the club's seal reads, "Brisket Sausage Pork Ribs." So you could see where there would be some confusion. Not that there aren't similarities. Both seals, for example, are round..