The Whitesboro City Council approved a request for a 10 percent raise for all city employees. The request, made by City Administrator Phil Harris, was to go back to October 1, 2024 and rollover to the current fiscal year.
“This would be the investment I would choose to make over any other investment,” Harris said.
When presenting the request to the Council, Harris provided them with how much the rate would be at three percent, five percent, seven percent, nine percent and 10 percent. Alderman Mike Pack asked Harris if the City is able to handle giving the 10 percent. Harris replied, “Yes.” Pack motioned and Alderman Su Welch seconded. It was a unanimous vote. The motion carried.
Moving forward, Pack addressed Bradley Williams, Public Works Director, about the Texoma Street project, saying, “Texoma is looking really good.” Williams said the City has entered into an interlocal agreement for Kelly Street and should begin construction in the next one to two weeks.
Harris had a discussion only with the Council regarding authorizing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance placing stop signs at the East and West intersections of the 100 and 200 block of Texoma Drive and Red River Drive. Harris said they have considered speed bumps, but he feels stop signs would be more effective in that area. He also said there would be warning signs so drivers would be aware ahead of time of the stop signs.
Next, when asked about the recent projects at the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), PARD Director Penny Renfroe said gutters are up and everything looks great.
Civil Engineer Saul Mendoza was present to talk about the Waste Water and Water Impact fee. Mendoza spoke about a financial tool that the city can use with a one-time fee that would be charged to developers for new and upcoming developments. Mendoza said this is something that includes city limits. They came up with a Water Improvement plan for Whitesboro.
“These alignments are not final. Additional capabilities are needed. The alignment will be final once the plans are done,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza explained how the company calculates the impact fee and thoroughly explained to the City Council why this data is collected.
A public hearing was held and the City Council approved the adoption of land use assumptions and capital improvements plan under which water and water waste impact fees may be imposed. Moore motioned and Alderman Ronnie Fielder seconded. The motion carried.
Another public hearing took place on the annexing of 2.637 acres of real property located at G-0491 Hartfield ASA and HRS A-G0491, within the Whitesboro corporate limits. The Civil Engineer present during the public hearing was Joshua Lincoln with Lincoln Consulting & Engineering (LC& E). The Ordinance annexing 2.637 acres was approved. There were three residents that have property adjacent to this acreage being annexed. The citizens had several concerns regarding how this annexation would affect them. Lincoln was able to answer their questions and Harris offered to speak with any citizen after the meeting regarding this matter. Moore made the motion and Pack seconded. The motion carried.
A third public hearing was held on the adoption of the 2024 Edition of the International Building Code, the 2023 Edition of the National Electric Code, the 2024 Edition of the International Residential Code, the 2024 Edition of the International Plumbing Code, the 2024 Edition of the International Mechanical Code and the 2024 Edition of the International Energy Conservation Code, with local amendments. After much discussion with Whitesboro City Building Inspector Dalton Fallaw, Ordinance 1231 repealing the 2018 edition of the above codes was approved.
An annual Racial Profiling report by the Whitesboro Police Department was approved. Welch motioned and Pack seconded. The motion carried. Ordinance 1232, cancelling the May 3, 2025 regular election was also approved. With no opposing candidates running for office, no election is necessary.
Resolution 8716 was approved, negotiating a settlement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee regarding the 2024 rate review Mechanism Filing.
After discussion and a vote, the council approved the appointment the Whitesboro Housing Authority made for Cynthia Wood as Chairperson and Chris Goedecke as Vice Chairperson for a one-year term.
Harris then requested from the council to be allowed to look at and capture what his recommendation would be in order to reduce City permitting fees for projects related to Whitesboro Independent School District’s $116 million bond project. It says in the agenda that benefits of this reduction can be: to maximize the use of taxpayer’s dollars to apply to facility development and enhancement to improve education; working with community partners to cost-efficiently use taxpayer’s dollars; and enhanced educational facilities will lead to a more educated workforce benefiting local businesses and overall community well-being, to name a few. Harris also provided a comparison to other cities. The poll performed by the City demonstrates Whitesboro would be unique in waiving fees. No motion was needed.
Council went into executive session for approximately 15 minutes to discuss the purchase of land for City purposes. No action was taken after the executive session.
Then, Harris provided the Council with five pages from the auditor focusing on fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Harris explained that he wants to take any recommendations the auditor has regarding the audit being previously opened by his predecessor, Julie Arrington. Harris said it was found that entries were made inaccurately for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Harris said he prefers the auditor to make the entries accurate. Harris also said the revised budget for 2024-2025 will come in April.
Signage for the new water tower is coming. The Council decided to have the ceremony on Monday, March 24 at 6 p.m. The plan is to have City cameras there, which Harris said will allow citizens to login online and see the construction process as it happens, allowing citizens to see the progress from virtually anywhere. Williams confirmed the project is moving along.
April 14 and 15 is the bulk item pick-up in Whitesboro. The City is working with the county on tire collection. The City is also working with Keep Whitesboro Beautiful (KWB) and the Whitesboro Independent School District (WISD) for Spring Clean-Up Week. Stay updated with events on the City’s website at www.whitesboro.org.
Lastly, after much discussion of the ratification of expenditures exceeding the City Administrator’s authority in the amount of $202,142.55, the expenditures were approved.