Council Receives Capital Improvement Program Budget

At the June 22 meeting, Council received the Capital Improvement Program for the fiscal year 2011. The Capital Improvement Program consists of a five-year plan, including improvements currently in process and additional proposed programs. Current programs in process include the Municipal Service Center and the Community Center that are expected to be complete in August 2010. With the City nearing build-out, there are limited capital programs anticipated in relation to primary City infrastructure. The majority of activity will be from the Highland Village Community Development Corporation with trail construction and a soccer complex, which are funded by 4B sales tax revenues. A primary factor in funding capital projects is full realization of the sales tax potential provided by the opening of the two large retail centers. While limited initially by the economic downturn and road construction in the western quadrant of the city, the expansion of retail is critical to fund debt service associated with proposed capital programs – the current revenue structure of the City with limited capacity to incur additional debt at the existing tax rate. Staff and Council will continue meeting on the 2011 budget throughout the summer. “The next two months make up the most important work we do as members of City Council. Our budget process, starting with review of our Capital Improvement Program, is essential to keeping our city financially strong moving forward,” stated Mayor Scott McDearmont.

Council held a public hearing and approved the first of two reads of an ordinance amending the use and regulations of the property at 2400 FM 407, The Arts Center of Highland Village, owned by the Highland Village Parks Foundation. The foundation requested the uses be modified to add office/professional uses and instruction type uses such as dance studio, karate and aerobics. The property is currently zoned as Light Industrial.

Council also held a public hearing and approved the replat of Lot 8, Block 2, of the Marketplace at Highland Village to subdivide the lot into two lots. Subsequently Council also approved the site plan for Dr. Shane Mason, Family and Implant Dentistry to be located at 2200 FM 2499.

A resolution was approved appointing new members to the Highland Village Community Development Corporation. Council member Bill Irwin was appointed as the Council representative and Ken Koonsman as the Resident representative.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Bartonville Water Supply Corporation for water distribution. As a result of the FM 407 TxDOT road expansion, a portion of BSWC’s water line will be taken out of service. This is a dual certified area with Flower Mound and most of the existing customers have transferred to Flower Mound. This agreement will provide interim water service to approximately 17 customers until Flower Mound’s water line is complete.

During the City Manager Report, Michael Leavitt informed residents of the Parks and Recreation Kids Kamp summer program for children ages 6-12. The Kamp runs from June 14 to August 13 and offers morning and afternoon programs. Information is available on the city web site with registration at the City Municipal Complex.