Fire Department Receives CoServ Grant

At the August 25 meeting, Council continued discussion of the FY 09-10 budget with staff, focusing on the Utility Fund budget. The Utility Fund is an enterprise fund that is financed primarily through user charges. Utility rates are maintained to provide sufficient revenues to meet the obligations associated with provision of water/sewer services. Utility rates are established to pay for delivery and maintenance of water/wastewater to city residents. The structure of rates is bifocal – with charges associated with wholesale water/wastewater purchases from the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) presented as a pass-through charge to residents, with separate rates to address city cost of service. For FY 2010, city rates are unchanged. However, preliminary UTRWD charges reflect a slight increase, which would result in a corresponding increase in the pass-through charge. Staff will re-evaluate the pass through rate when the actual UTRWD charges are updated in November. A primary initiative proposed to Council is the implementation of an automated meter read system. In this system, water meters with built-in wireless transmitting devices send readings in defined increments. These readings are collected by a computer over the wireless network and integrated into the City’s billing system automatically. Council directed staff to begin the RFP process for this system.

During the City Manager Report, CoServ Executive Director Dennis Engelke presented the Highland Village Fire Department with a check for $20, 409.00. CoServ Charitable Foundation, is funded by CoServ employees and CoServ residential customers to give back to the communities it serves. The Highland Village Fire Department submitted an application for a grant for audio visual equipment for the Emergency Operations Center and Training Room.

Also during this report, the Police Department recognized Communications Officer Sandra Tatum for outstanding performance in the line of duty.  On April 24th, 2009 Sandra answered a 911 call made by 7 year old Jocelyn Hurtado who lives in Highland Village.  Jocelyn called 911 in response to a medical emergency suffered by her mother Selene.  As Jocelyn calmly waited for the Fire Department to arrive, Sandra gave Jocelyn emergency medical instructions and monitored the status of Selene.  Sandra's actions were efficient, professional and are an example of the service the Police Department and the City work to provide our community every day.  As a result of Sandra and Jocelyn's quick action, Selene was able to make a full recovery.  Based on this incident, Communications Officer Tatum received a national award on June 7, 2009 during the National 911 Heroes Award Ceremony at the 2009 NENA Conference held in Ft. Worth.  The awards ceremonies highlight personnel and citizens from across the country that have endured and persevered through crises situations.  We would like to commend Sandra for her performance in this situation and her service to the community.