Council discussed the FY 07-08 Budget

At the July 24 meeting, Council discussed the FY 07-08 Budget. Staff presented the General Fund Budget, which included the departmental budget and the Supplemental Requests. The biggest increase proposed relates to public safety with the addition of four firefighters, which is consistent with the Council’s goal of ensuring a high level of public safety for residents.

Council approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager and the Highland Village Community Development Corporation (HVCDC) to contract with HNTB Corporation for design services of the FM 2499 pedestrian tunnel. The tunnel will connect the Inland Trail system on the east side of FM 2499 to the west side. The construction will take place in conjunction with TxDOT’s construction of FM 2499.

Also at this meeting Council discussed the proposed concept plan for the Municipal Service Center at 948 Highland Village Road. The current service center is made up of modular buildings that are over 20 years old. Council also discussed a potential use for the current Fire Station as an interim Senior Center. The Fire Station would be renovated to include a façade consistent with other municipal facilities and an interior designed to accommodate senior programming. City staff is working with the design and construction engineer to determine if both uses are suited for that location and will bring information to Council and, if approved by Council, ultimately to Highland Village voters in November.

Council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Sky Watch Observation Tower system. In June the Police Department applied for and received a grant in the amount of $25,000 from the CoServ Charitable Foundation. Since that time the Police Department has identified and obtained additional funding in the amount of $15,539 from other grants, donations, police auction proceeds and trail security funds bringing the total raised to $40,539. The resolution approved the allocation of an additional $15,983 to purchase the Sky Watch system. This tower will be used as a crime prevention tool at shopping centers, schools, parks, and community events.

During the City Manager Report, Michael Leavitt announced the City now offers residents the option to pay their utility bill on-line. Residents should click on the “On-line Payments” link on the city web site at www.highlandvillage.org, create an account and begin paying their utility bill on-line. Traffic tickets can also be paid on line as long as a court appearance is not required.

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) 597-371  Fax:  (972) 317-0237
www.highlandvillage.org