First Read of an Ordinance Adjusting the City’s Rates for Water and Sewer Service Approved

At the September 11 meeting, Council received presentations regarding Transit Oriented Development and considered an ordinance amending the city’s Comprehensive Plan related to the Future Land Use Map to include Transit Oriented Development (TOD). This item was postponed on the August 28 meeting to allow for presentations during the early work session. Council approved the ordinance to designate areas along the City’s commercial corridor and the far eastern portion of the City as potential Transit Oriented Developments.

Council held a public hearing and approved the first read on the proposed FY 2007-2008 budget. The proposed budget will go up by about 17 percent, from $9.4 million this year to $11 million in fiscal 2007-08. Council also confirmed the needed growth in public safety with the funding of additional four staff members to the city Fire Department and one to the Police Department. Continuing with the public safety priority, Council also approved improved security cameras at Unity Park, and continued funding for the Children’s Advocacy Center. The security cameras at Unity Park will tie into the current security camera system in place at The Marketplace at Highland Village and will provide an additional presence at the City’s busiest park. The Proposed budget is available on the City web site.

Also at this meeting Council approved the first read of an ordinance adjusting the City’s rates for water and sewer service. The City underwent an audit of the current rate system and determined an increase in the City’s water and sewer rates were needed to continue our current level of service. An 18% increase will be reflected on the utility bills sent to subscribers in November.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Chapter 380 Economic Development Program and Agreement with Opus West Corporation. The amendment would add an additional $600,000 to contribute to the cost of a signal light on FM 407 at the development’s spine road. The signal is needed to provide left turn access out of the Marketplace onto eastbound FM 407 and adds enhanced public safety to the FM 407 and FM 2499 intersection.

During the Mayor’s Announcements, Representative Tan Parker presented the Fire and Police Department a resolution and special congratulations for their work in securing grant funding from the CoServ Foundation Operation Round Up. The Police Department applied for and received funding for a portion of the cost of a SkyWatch Tower and the Fire Department received funds for an All Terrain Vehicle for Fire and EMS response on the Inland Trail System

PROUD TO BE THE SAFEST CITY IN NORTH TEXAS
City of Highland Village, 1000 Highland Village Road, Highland Village, Texas 75077
Contact:  Laurie Mullens, Public Affairs Manager
(972) 899-5131  Cell:  (940) 597-3721  Fax:  (972) 317-0237
www.highlandvillage.org