After a public hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Whitesboro City Council approved the annexation of property that will bring 140 new single-family homes to the area.
In the hearing, Council addressed the annexation of a property that would expand city limits and allow for the construction of 140 single-family homes in Whitesboro in the next two to three years. The property, generally located on Locust Street between Hwy 377 and Depot Street, is to include a 30-acre tract within the city’s territorial and jurisdictional limits.
The owner of the property was present and spoke about what he intends to accomplish on the land. In addition to the construction of the homes, he will create concrete streets with city water and city sewer.
Resident Jeff Butts voiced his concern regarding water issues and asked whether this should be a concern to residents. Mayor Dave Blaylock said this will not be a problem.
City Administrator Julie Arrington said the owner of the land will be building a new lift station (to assist with water flow) and will share the expense with the city as part of the agreement. The city will bring the sewer and the water to the property on Locust Street. Whitesboro currently has the capacity for about 950 meters. Arrington reassured citizens that the Water Tower project should take another two years to complete, therefore the water capacity will not hurt current residents.
“I have made it clear, more than once, that I have no intention to just keep building homes and jeopardizing the water to our citizens that live here all this time for people who are just moving in. I know it sounds terrible, but we want the growth of homes. But if it came down to a water issue then they would have to wait, that’s all there is to it. We’re keeping a close eye on that,” Blaylock said.
Next, after a long discussion, the Whitesboro City Council approved hiring Grant Works to assist with a grant application process to help fund road repairs and water line completion. Resolution 8707 was approved, awarding the administrative/project delivery service provider contract for 2025-2026 Texas Community Development Block Grant Fund Project.
During the June 18 meeting, the City Council approved city staff to advertise for a ‘Request for Proposal’ for a grant administration company to assist with the application process. Since then, city staff has received one application from Grant Works. This would be to apply for a $750K grant with a five percent match. After meeting and reviewing the application on July 30, the committee has recommended the approval of the award.
A rezoning request for a property generally located at 415 North Avenue, from an R1 to R4 zoning district and a re-plat request for the separation of one lot into three lots (generally located at 608 North Avenue) have both been tabled until September 30 for the City Council to revisit.
Another public hearing was opened regarding the reauthorization of the building permit fees. According to Arrington, this is a new law that has been set in place. It is a statutory requirement every 10 years that became effective January 2024. According to the agenda, this will allow the City of Whitesboro to continue charging the rates in the current Comprehensive Fee Ordinance for the next 10 years or until the City makes a change in the future, whichever comes first. There were no comments from the public.
The City Council approved Jon Sanders as a new member of the Board of Adjustments. The motion passed with a three to two vote. Mayor Pro Tem Carla Woolsey and Alderman Su Welch voted against it.
Moving forward, a decision on authorizing the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with Synergy for the purpose of conducting an electric rate study on rates the City charges citizens was tabled until the next council meeting.
The City Council approved to authorize the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with the City of Sanger for the purpose of mutual aid. Arrington said the City of Whitesboro has a mutual aid agreement that has not been put into writing. She said the City of Sanger has helped Whitesboro with electricity during or after storms and Whitesboro has done the same.
According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), in February 2021, winter storm Uri brought severe weather and frigid temperatures to Texas that affected 259 counties across the state. This caused millions of Texans to lose power. Arrington said the City of Sanger was of help to Whitesboro during that time.
After much discussion, the City Council approved the Development of an Impact Fee Committee to assist with the development of impact fees for the City of Whitesboro. Woolsey motioned and Alderman Stacey Miles seconded. The motion carried. The purchase of a screw press to replace the old press located at the Wastewater Treatment Facility was approved in an amount not to exceed $325k. Arrington confirmed this is a budgeted item.
The City Council also approved the purchase of a Dodge Chassis completely paid for by the Whitesboro Fire Department (WFD). Fire Chief Steve Pinkston stood before the council to discuss that the WFD has voted to purchase a 2024 Dodge Chassis with volunteer funds to serve as a backup brush truck. Chief Pinkston said the WFD has been saving up for years. He said the operations are more successful when two brush trucks can work fire lines in tandem. According to the agenda, the fire department will pay the City the amount needed for the vehicle, then request the City to purchase the truck with those funds and place it on the City insurance.
Chief Pinkston also briefed the members of the council about the WFD backup brush truck, a Department of Defense military truck they received from the Forest Preserve. He said the maintenance is very costly. WFD also received a grant from the Forest Preserve of $20k for the slip on the tank. The slip for the tank, he said, would cost $25k, but after receiving the grant, the City was only responsible for $5,000. The purchase of this new chassis will be upfitted with equipment from the old brush truck. The WFD is planning on putting it together themselves. The purchase price for the vehicle is $66,951.
Next, Arrington informed the council that the county is recommending an increased tax rate of $0.666. Whitesboro’s current tax rate is at $0.399 per $100 valuation. Arrington informed the council this number can be changed anywhere in between the two numbers but cannot be higher than $0.666. This will be discussed further at the September 3 council meeting. Arrington said the audit of the City of Whitesboro has a tentative date of completion of August 16.
Regarding ongoing City projects, the Water Tower project has been updated to a one-million-gallon tank. The engineer said the project typically takes longer, about 18-24 months. Next, he said the water line project will start on August 12 and take about six months to complete. With it being hydraulic water, they need to make sure the water line will be sufficient for the growth. They are aiming for a 16-inch water line, but the engineer said they need to verify first and make it as accurate as possible. He said it’s an ongoing process and he continues to stay in communication with the City Administrator and D&C Superintendent Bradley Williams about the process.
Regarding the Texoma Drive project, the engineer said they will be adding a concrete drainage soil ditch, a natural drainage channel on the west end of Texoma Drive going north.
Arrington updated the council on the 4th Street Extension project. She said they need to get a water line through the land. Arrington said they have discovered it would be easier and less expensive to come from Wilson Street over to Dennards in order to get a water line in. Arrington said she is looking into hiring a tree company to get a quote to clear the property the city has purchased. Then, she will need to get 4th Street surveyed, laid out and get a permit from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). All projects are ongoing.
In other news, the Animal Control department has hired Chancelor Vance as new Animal Control Officer. The department picked up five dogs last month. The Street Dept. has been working on getting roads ready to chip seal this year. The department has already fixed multiple blowouts from trash trucks and potholes around town, specifically on College Street, Red River Drive, East South Street and Charter Street. They have also filled holes in the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and the WFD parking lots. The department has also followed up on mowing right-of-ways and running a weekly brush route.
Arrington said she is waiting to hear back from individuals that have shown interest in being a part of a committee for the Comprehensive Plan.
The City Council went into executive session to discuss and deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties or dismissal of the City Attorney, City Secretary and City Administrator. After being in executive session for over two hours the council took no action on any of the items discussed during the closed session. They also took no action regarding the possible hire of a law firm to legally represent the City of Whitesboro and be appointed as the City Attorney and Prosecutor.
Lastly, the City Council approved expenditures exceeding the City Administrator’s authority. The expenses were $17,662.42 to the WFD for a cardiac monitor, $35,400 for the Street Dept. for road oil and $15,030 for the upfit of the new Tahoe for the Police Dept. All budgeted items totaled $68,092.42.