At their meeting last Thursday, the Joaquin City Council voted to adopt a tax rate for 2014 of $0.23 cents were $100 evaluation, which is 2-cents lower than 2013s.

City Secretary Donna Fitzgerald said the council will make the new rate official at the Sept. 12 meeting when the new Fiscal Year Budget is also adopted.

In other business, Ms. Fitzgerald said approval was given to update the Community Center rules, primarily in reference to the moving of interior furnishings.

She also noted the council has agreed on placement of a credit/debit and online payment system. The service should be up and running in a couple of months.

As for designating the City Park a Smoke Free, Drug Free & Gun Free Zone, Joaquin City Council will be working on an ordinance to enforce the regulations. Ms. Fitzgerald said there's signage already in place for no smoking, and fines will be up to $500 for violators.

Mayor Mike Wood was also given authority to purchase a photograph of the current Logansport Bridge from Rusty Wilson to be placed in City Hall. The bridge is part of a replacement project over the Sabine River.