West Tawakoni Council Accepts Sandy Lynn

Sandy Lynn Addition resident Joan Hulsey petitioned the West Tawakoni City Council at its Tuesday night meeting for annexation.

Hulsey’s affidavit was signed by herself, Joe M. Hulsey and Thomas Kent. The document stated that a vote of the qualified voters was taken in July and that the majority wanted to become a part of the city.

The council voted unanimously to accept the petition and begin annexation proceedings that were expected to take about 30 days.

The budget process continued at Tuesday night’s meeting with a unanimous vote of the council to accept the proposed budget along with a 2.9 percent tax increase.

The vote however was not the final action on the matter. A public hearing will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. at city hall on the budget.

The finances for next year have been discussed at earlier meetings.

The general fund budget with the 2.9 percent tax increase totals $709,287.50.

The largest income listed was property taxes, $201,734.23. That reflects the increase from the current budget of $195,877.50.

Other major income listings were delinquent taxes, $24,500; sales and use tax, $105,000 (down from this year’s $115,000); EDC sales tax, $52,500 (down from this year’s $63,800); FEC franchise, $127,500; Waste Management franchise, $16,500; mixed beverage tax, $9,500; municipal court, $82,000 (down from $122,500 this year); interest income, $11,500 (down from this year’s $20,000); and other income, $49,000 that includes $39,000 from the COPS grant.

Expenses included municipal court, $94,358.14; administration, $205,932.13; CI, $49,854.71; police department, $255,237.93; and public works department, $97,404.59.

The council’s approval also included a five percent increase for water and sewer bills. The vote also called for future increases to be tied to the Cost of Living Adjustment that was computed annually.

The total water and sewer fund budget was $1,092,349.50 as compared to $1,059,721.28 this year.

Income entries include water-sewer billing, $968,100; penalties, $15,000; garbage billing, $89,445.20; and garbage tax, $7,654.28.

Expense listings include SRA water purchase, $38,000; salaries, $285,000; overtime, $13,500; FICA, $26,319.79; workers compensation, $16,664.20; equipment fuel, $7,500; contract labor, $33,500; employee insurance, $40,000; vehicle fuel, $10,500; equipment maintenance and repair, $16,000; property insurance, $7,500; garbage fees, $77,507.50; sewer line improvement, $27,000; utilities, $62,500; equipment purchase, $15,000; water-sewer maintenance supplies, $39,000; lab fees, $8,000; sewer plant maintenance, $8,500; chemicals, $38,500; USDA, Phase 1 and 2, $63,000; garbage sales tax, $6,500; USDA 10 year payment, $10,344; TMRS, $25,540; and USDA Phase 3, $153,050.

Further action would be required by the council before the budget, tax rate and utilities increase would become effective. The rate increase would appear on October bills.

City Administrator Cloy Richards said the current tax rate was $0.447. To raise the same amount of tax money for the next fiscal year would require a lower tax rate of $0.43516 because of increased valuations of city property, Richards said. The 2.9 percent increase would mean a rate of approximately $0.4485.

Mayor Pete Yoho said he felt the increase was prudent to at least keep up with inflation rather than face the possibility of a large hike in future years.

In discussing the water and sewer budget, Richards said, "I think we have a good story to tell. We have been good stewards." He said when he began in 2005, the city had 21 employees as well as a part-time employee in the police department. He said that number had been cut to 17.

On the new water plant, he commented, "Whether we find a new customer or not, that water plant is the best thing we’ve done in the past 20 years."

Utilities Director Lamont Jenkins said he ran the new plant at about eight to 10 percent of its capacity.

Mayor Yoho indicated the city was actively seeking new customers.

• The annual contract was approved for food service inspection with the Hunt County Health Department. Richards said the city would lose about $1,800 since the county department would begin keeping all fees rather than splitting them with the city. However, the county would also be required to complete all paperwork.

• Yoho who also serves as president of the Economic Development Corporation reminded that the group was seeking nominations for a new member.

•Police Chief Jack Schultz announced that he planned to begin a meeting, possibly the last Friday of each month, with homeowner associations and others to answer questions and concerns.

• The new police officer funded by the COPS grant was to begin work on Thursday. Schultz announced that the new officer was the same one that was laid off last year because of budget cuts.

• Utilities Director Jenkins passed tests and received his Class "C" water operator license. Richards passed tests to secure a Class "D" license.

• All council members and Mayor Yoho were present except Winston Dennis.