Council Receives CIP Budget

At the June 23 meeting, Council received the FY 2010 Capital Improvement Program. With the city nearing build-out, there are limited capital programs in relation to primary city infrastructure. Capital improvements related to basic infrastructure are widely supported. Improvements related to amenities/improved services while desired, are viewed in context of affordability. Current CIP projects in progress include construction of the Municipal Service Center, the Senior/Community Center, installation of way-side horns at railroad crossings, irrigation and landscaping for Brazos Boulevardand providing street connection in the District of Highland Village to Barnet Boulevard . Proposed CIP projects for the 2010 budget include a traffic signal at FM 2499 and Highland Shores Boulevard, FM 2499 screening walls, and Unity Park restrooms and parking lot improvements. The City looks to issue debt for these proposed projects when there is no impact to the existing tax rate. The complete list of CIP projects in progress and considered for the future are available on the city web site.

Council approved the final read of an ordinance amending the residential and commercial fees for excessive false alarms. Over the last twelve months, 95% of the alarm calls Highland Village police have responded to have been false alarms. The response to these false alarms consumed 1012 hours of available police patrol time. In an effort to curtail the number of false alarms, the amended ordinance modifies the existing fee structure to include no charge for 1-3 false alarms, a $50 fine for false alarms 3-4, a $75 fine for false alarms 6-7 and $100 fine for eight or more false alarms in a twelve month period. Additionally, Council approved a $200 fine for failing to register an alarm system and increased the commercial alarm permit fee to $50.00. The new fee structure reflects the State of Texas false alarm fee schedule as stated in Local Government Code 214.197 – Penalties for False Alarms.

During the Mayor’s announcements, Mayor Costa informed residents Congressman Burgess will hold a Town Hall meeting here in Highland Village at the Municipal Complex on Saturday, June 27 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. For questions or more information regarding the Town Hall, please call the Congressman’s District office at 972-434-9700.