The Whitney City Council approved a new fee schedule that will increase water and sewer rates to address existing and future infrastructure needs during a meeting held Thursday, October 24.
The issue had been discussed in budget workshops as the city prepares to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure and purchase a $4 million wastewater treatment system.
Operations Director Billy Pribble said that the city has not increased its rates in recent years, and it is in the best interest of citizens to do so to stay on top of infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
The city based the increase on the Social Security cost-of-living increases since the last time the rates were adjusted in 2016, and Pribble said that this metric was chosen because the Consumer Price Index (CPI) would have resulted in a much higher increase.
The change raises the base water and sewer rates and moves sewer charges to the ascending scale system that the council implemented for water service in 2022. Based on the city’s estimates, the average water bill will likely increase by about $35 under the new structure.
On the water side, the base residential water rate will increase from $30.15 to $38.77. Previously, the base rate included the customer’s first 2,000 gallons of water used, and the charge was $3 for each additional 1,000 gallons. That changes under the new rate schedule, with no 2,000-gallon allotment included in the base rate and a fee of $3.86 assessed for every 1,000 gallons used. If a customer uses more than 5,000 gallons per month, the fee per 1,000 gallons increases by $1 at every 5,000-gallon increment.
On the sewer side, the base rate is increasing from $16.65 to $29.57, and there will be an additional charge of $2.49 per 1,000 gallons of water usage. The ascending scale will also apply, increasing the charge at 5,000-gallon increments, the same as the water fee schedule.
By implementing the ascending rate schedule on the sewer portion of the bill, Pribble said that the city will be able to fund the new sewer plant without raising taxes.
He added that the city meets monthly with neighboring cities and city administrators, and Whitney’s rates are still lower than the rates of most of its peers. “We have to make improvements to infrastructure, and this is the only way to do it,” he said.
HCR 1240 Repairs
In other action, the council approved an interlocal agreement with Hill County Precinct 1 to repair the city’s portion of HCR 1240, which serves the high school and middle school campuses. Under the agreement, the city will pay for repairs to its portion of the road to be completed when the county works on its portion.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Jim Holcomb presented three options to the council, including a “band-aid” involving chip seal for this school year or a two-part plan to perform a full improvement project. Council members and Pribble expressed a desire to look at permanent solutions going forward, noting that the city has relied on “band-aids” for too long and progress needs to be achieved.
The two-part solution will involve a quicker fix for the remainder of this school year involving blading and shaping shoulders to effectively widen the road and filling potholes at an estimated cost of $33,270. When temperatures are better suited for the work and school is out in 2025, the county will pour asphalt on the road for a permanent fix at an estimated cost of $131,166.
The Hill County Commissioners Court previously approved the interlocal agreement and will now consider the project work order approved by the council.
In a related agenda item, the council voted to dedicate and name the city’s portion of HCR 1240 “Wildcat Drive.” The council passed a resolution in 2008 naming the road, but it was never implemented and the city’s portion has been extended since that time with the addition of the middle school.
Animal Shelter Options
The council discussed options for an animal shelter in the city, including constructing a city-owned shelter or supporting a volunteer organization operating as a 501c3.
After discussing the pros and cons, the council opted to support a volunteer organization, which would have an easier time getting grants and donations instead of placing a financial burden on the city budget.
In open forum, Stephania Shelby spoke to the council about the continued need for an animal shelter and impound. She is currently fostering animals and volunteering with the city’s animal control program. She said that she has volunteers ready to assist with the project, but land or a building is desperately needed.
Animal Control Officer Drew Youngblood reported that almost $5,000 in donations has been received to help with a temporary impound, and a pad will be laid on the public works property to construct kennels.
Shelby said that it would be ideal to eventually have an impound and shelter constructed together on the same property.
Republic Services
Rate Increase
The council approved notice of a rate increase from Republic Services that increases their rates to the city by 5% effective November 1.
Republic Municipal Services Manager Robyn Mota said that the company’s agreement with the city permits an annual rate adjustment equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.
Republic’s fee for curbside residential service with one cart will be $13.30 per month, with an additional cart fee of $6.29 per month. Commercial curbside service will be $13.70 per month and $6.48 for an additional cart.
Council member Sam Pierce voted against approving the increase.
New Police Vehicles
The council authorized the mayor to enter into a financing agreement with Government Capital for two new Chevy Malibu police vehicles at a cost of $56,000.
Police Chief Kyle Nevil told the council that two of the department’s Ford Explorers have high mileage. One is in poor condition, and the other could be utilized as an animal control vehicle.
Nevil said that it is a good price that includes upfitting the vehicles to serve the police department. He also said that the department is staying on top of maintenance and taking care of its vehicles.
Vyve Presentation
Representatives from Vyve spoke to the council about the city’s internet and phone service as administration seeks solutions due to outages with the current provider.
Information Technology Director Ben Keith said that multiple outages have impacted the city’s operations with its current internet and phone provider. In one instance, a break two hours away from Whitney resulted in a three-day outage. He said that the city needs to be connected 24/7 to meet emergency services and administration needs.
Pribble and Keith said that they believe Vyve’s solution provides all that the city asked for, along with additional features, and came in with an offer close to what the city is paying its current provider.
Pribble added that he is using Vyve at his own home and has had no service interruptions.
No action was taken, but the council indicated a desire to move forward with contract negotiations.
Carter Honored
Mayor Janice Sanders read a proclamation declaring October 18 Denise Carter Public Library Day in the city, honoring her for her service to the city as library director upon her retirement this month.
The mayor also presented a plaque dedicating the children’s library as “The Denise Carter Children’s Library.”
Carter was recognized for her many efforts to grow, promote and enhance the library, including building Whitney’s current library building at no cost to taxpayers.
New Hires
After convening in executive session, the council resumed open session and voted to appoint Christie Rogers as interim library director while applications are accepted. Outgoing director Denise Carter said that she was leaving the library in good hands with Rogers and staff.
The council also voted to hire Robert Matthews as the director of emergency services.
Open Forum
In addition to Shelby’s animal control comments, another Whitney resident spoke in open forum and said that he was concerned about his tax bill going up so much this year. He told the council that he has been a Whitney taxpayer for 50 years, and his bill went up $90 over the previous five years, but this time it went up that much in one year. He said that he felt the jump was unreasonable.
Departmental Reports
In departmental reports, Interim Fire Chief Wayland Price said that the department responded to 40 calls in September. The fire department also received close to $60,000 worth of equipment thanks to its partnership with Brazos Valley Fire Training.
Police Chief Kyle Nevil said that September was a busy month, with four arrests, 45 traffic stops and 69 warnings/citations issued. He said that officers responded to a burglary in progress and captured the suspect within 24 hours, made two family violence arrests and located a missing juvenile.
EMS Director Megan Leighman said that the ambulance service responded to 41 calls and made 73 transports in September with an average response time of five minutes and 49 seconds.
Public Works Director Chris Brennan said his department repaired six leaks in September, is repairing a fire hydrant and hired one new employee.
Code Compliance and Animal Control Officer Drew Youngblood said that six animal control citations were issued in September and 14 code compliance issues were addressed. Animal control raised $545 working the concession stand at a recent football game and about $500 at Pioneer Days to support the program.
Other Action
The council voted on several other agenda items, including:
• The council accepted a bid for the purchase of two lots at 101 North San Jacinto Street at a purchase price of $5,900 and $5,500. Pierce and Jason Ince voted in favor of accepting the bids, and Cheryl Taylor-West and Vicki Wilson voted no. With council member Valery Peacock absent, Mayor Sanders broke the tie with a vote in favor of the sale.
• Council members approved submitting a grant application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for infrastructure projects.
• An updated Failure to Appear Contract was approved with the Department of Public Safety. The annual agreement allows the city to place holds on driver licenses when a citation is not paid.
• An interlocal agreement was updated between the city and Whitney ISD. The document states that the two entities will work together in an emergency.
• The council passed a resolution designating The Lakelander as the official newspaper of Whitney for the purpose of placing required notices.
• The library director job description was approved as the city prepares to advertise the job opening.
The council will meet in a special session at the library at 1 p.m. Thursday, October 31, to discuss a lien release and financing by the Whitney Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation.
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