Following a public hearing regarding budget and tax rates during its Sept. 17 meeting, the Whitesboro City Council discussed several project updates and board appointments.
City Administrator Julie Arrington reported that she has received confirmation that the City will be able to get a bond for the remaining balance for the Water Tower Project. Arrington said the engineering costs for the project is at an estimated $7.4 million. The EDC (Economic Development Corporation) has graciously agreed to help fund the project with $1.5 million. The remainder of the cost for the Water Tower Project needs to be financed.
That same water tower, which will be built on the west side of town on Hwy. 56, will need a 12-inch water line to tie the tower to the existing system. Arrington reported this needs to be upgraded. She said it will create a loop line that will run back east down Hwy. 56 and loop back around. The estimated costs she said will roughly be over $1 million.
The Texoma Street project is going well. Arrington said they are currently on the 200 block of Texoma Street. They have been focusing on the water line replacement and will not service road repair until the water line replacement is complete. She said the water line is costing roughly $450k and the road repair is costing roughly $750k. The City is paying for the water line and road repair out of the City budget. Fourth Street project is on hold.
In other news, the City of Whitesboro has approved to authorize RFPs (request for proposals) for administrative and construction management services related to the Home Investment Partnerships Program or HOME Homeowner Reconstruction Program by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
According to Arrington, the City of Whitesboro recently purchased a piece of property on the back of Dennards and north of Godwin Park. It turns out the Dennards employee parking lot crosses over onto the property the City has purchased. Dennards has asked the city if there can be a swap of the cost of the water line or if Dennards can purchase the portion of the land from the City. After reviewing the map, Arrington pointed out the City would not be utilizing that portion of the property that they are requesting to purchase. The council approved Arrington to move forward to enter into discussions for a possible swap of the cost of the water line.
The council passed the Whitesboro Industrial Type A Budget and the Whitesboro Economic Type B 2024-2025 Budget.
Next, the council approved several appointments to the Whitesboro Industrial Board. For the Type A Board, Jon Weems and Ken Kniss were reappointed while Chris Goedecke was appointed.
For the Type B Board, Craig Falco and Mike Haynie were reappointed while Jess Miles and John Moore were appointed.
The council had a discussion about the Library Board adding members. The board currently has five members and would like to add two more. City Secretary Teresa Nino said the Library Board would like to attract younger members to help with library events and book sales, to name a few.
All expenditures exceeding the City Administrator’s authority totaling $203,253.40 were approved. One was for an elevated water storage tank in the amount of $33,780. The second amount was for the Texoma Street project water line in the amount of $169,473.40. Mayor Pro Tem Carla Woolsey motioned and Alderman Stacey Miles seconded. The motion carried.