NEWS
Saint Jo City Council to discuss zoning change, meet business rep.
Members of the Saint Jo City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 10 in city hall to discuss a possible zoning change related to business development and hear from a representative of that prospect.
The council has been in the process of amending the city’s zoning ordinance for a 59.01 acre tract at U.S. Highway 82 and Field Road, which is owned by the city. The proposal is to change it from agricultural district to commercial.
The land has been annexed into the city limits, but it also houses the Easy Street Shelter on a long-term lease and wastewater facilities for the city system. Shelter volunteers last month asked the city to consider deeding the land to the shelter which would allow it to pursue grants or other funding that requires the shelter own the land.
Concerns also were raised if the shelter could continue operating in the same location under the different zoning category. Councilors said last month they would explore those questions with the city’s legal counsel. Cindy Castle of the shelter board is on the agenda to discuss an update on the lease issue.
Mike Medford of Vacaro Venture has been looking into a possible location for Dollar General in Saint Jo. He is on the agenda to discuss commercial development and associated issues, platting and building inspection standards and issues.Other topics on this week’s agenda include: Request by Dena Moragues and Kelly and Jennifer Baeper on the state of Griffis Street and the driveway into the property on Boggess Street; approval of minutes from the last three sessions; discuss and act on a request from Economic 4A on refurbishing signage on U.S. Highway 82; resolution to award bid contracts for the 2021 Texas Community Development Grant program; financial statement and payment of monthly bills.
NEWS
Amon Carter Lake Board to meet
Members of the Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on May 26 in the office at 607A Lindsey for a monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a consent agenda and minutes and financials. Possible discussion/action may be considered on the following topics: Treasurer’s report, review of finance and current loans; president’s report as to the written agreements with contractual employees; consider current water rates and a possible increase; and review of expenses and areas that need amendment.
An executive session may be entered to discuss personnel issues.
NEWS
Saint Jo City Council hires fire marshal
The City of Saint Jo has a new fire marshal as the city council made the appointment during its May 13 meeting.
Gary Hines, a retired professional firefighter and certified fire investigator, will take the position. City Secretary Debbie Dennis said the post is required by ordinance but has not been filled for a long period.
The council set dates for a budget workshop for 2 p.m. on June 14 and 2 p.m. on June 28 for the ordinance workshop, as the council works to update its rules.
Aldermen gave their support to a proposition by Councilman Jack Dunn who is asking the Legislature to allow Texas’ smallest cities, those with 2,500 or few in population, to receive an additional share of sales and use tax. He would like to see the funds used in these communities to repair and replace aging infrastructure without new taxes or reliance on state grants.
In letter to State Rep. David Spiller, whom Dunn will meet with on June 1, the alderman explains much of the state’s 6.25% share generated locally flows into general funds and is spent on other priorities. He would like Spiller to author this legislation. Dunn gave the letter to the council along with a powerpoint on the plan.
“A single water treatment plant upgrade or sewer rehab carries massive, fixed costs that do not shrink with population size. These communities, often with only a few hundred or a couple thousands residents, simply cannot spread those costs across enough ratepayers or a broad tax based,” the letter states.
Dunn suggests a “graduated sales tax retention policy:” 1% additional share for cities with 2,500 or fewer residents; .75% for those 2,500 and 5,000; and .50% for cities between 5,001 and 10,000. It would be dedicated to infrastructure. Dunn says the overall statewide fiscal impact would be negligible, but could help sustain small, rural cities.
NEWS
City of Nocona buys water storage tank, review dam repair
The Nocona City Council approved a bid for a new 203,000 gallon capacity tank for potable water at the water plant and learned a slide repair to the lake dam is going to be pretty costly.
At its May 12 session the council received three bids on the tank and went with one from Tank Depot of Cleburne for $193,923. It is for a a 217,600 gallon tank usable for 203,000 gallons. The price could change slightly since it was based on estimate freight costs.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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