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The City provides utilities through its 36 MGD water plant and 7.25 MGD wastewater plant. Electric power is supplied to <br />Paris by TXiJ Electric's interconnected transmission system. It has a generating capacity of 22,808,000 KW. The supply of <br />electric power is adequate to meet the requirements of any commercial or industrial demand. Atmos Energy provides natural <br />gas for residential, commercial, and industrial users. Atmos Energy is the largest provider of pure natural gas in America. It <br />provides service to over three million customers in 12 states. There are 3 transmission lines serving the City with a line <br />pressure of 300 pounds per square inch. Telephone service is provided by AT &T. <br />Educational facilities of the City are provided by 3 independent school districts. Each of the districts is accredited by the Texas <br />Education Agency. Higher education needs in the County are provided at Paris Junior College located in the City. Total <br />enrollment of these entities is 12,139. <br />Tourists are attracted to the area by activities on Lake Crook and Pat Mayse Reservoir. Pat Mayse Reservoir is located 15 <br />minutes from the City and provides 6,000 acres for boating, fishing, and camping. The Gambill Goose Refuge and numerous <br />hunting and fishing areas are also located in the County. Other points of interest and activities include the Sam Bell Maxey <br />House, the A.M. Aikin Archives, Red River Valley Exposition, and the Hayden Museum of American Art. <br />Also, the City has 3 18-hole golf courses, 4 private and 1 public swimming pools, 26 tennis courts, 3 walk/jog tracks, a sports <br />complex, and 24 public park areas. <br />Government Organization <br />The City was incorporated in 1836 with the current charter adopted in November of 1948. The City operates under the <br />Council/Manager form of government with 7 council members elected from single member districts. The Mayor is elected by <br />the Council itself to serve as moderator of the group. The Council members serve 2 year staggered terms. The Mayor and <br />Council appoint the City Manager, the City Attorney, and the Municipal Judge. The City is a Home Rule City with all powers <br />granted to home rule cities by the constitution and laws of the State of Texas. The Council enacts legislation, adopts budgets, <br />and determines policies of the City of Paris. The City Manager executes the laws and administers the government of the City. <br />Economic Condition and Outlook <br />Current taxable values for fiscal year 2007-2008 reflect a 4.94% increase over the 2006-2007 values. Of this increase 46.7% <br />was due to new taxable property and the balance due to reappraisal. Building permits for new residential and commercial <br />construction totaled $27,518,930 for fiscal year 2006-2007. This activity should be reflected in next year's taxable values. <br />Sales taxes for 2006-2007 increased from the prior year by 5.04%. Current rebates are 5.79% below the 2006-2007 rebates <br />through December 2007. Sales tax analysis using a 12 month and a 36 month moving average has indicated some weakening <br />of sales tax revenues. <br />Hotel occupancy taxes were up 8.74% compared to 2005-2006 taxes. This increase in activity is a reflection of new events <br />held in Paris designed to draw more visitors to the area. <br />Franchise fees increased .9% and are expected to continue slow growth. This area is a major source of revenue to the City and <br />is aggressively guarded by City officials. <br />The Paris Economic Development Corporation is working hand in hand with the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce to <br />recruit new business to the azea as well as supporting already existing businesses. <br />General Fund receipts equaled 103.25% of budget. Expenses did not exceed total budget appropriations. General Fund <br />expenditures were only 90.04% of budget. <br />I-3 <br />