The Whitney City Council approved an employment agreement with Billy Pribble and appointed members to the newly created Lake Whitney Public Library Advisory Board during a regular session held Thursday, February 19.
The council convened in closed session to discuss the city administrator position and voted when open session resumed to approve a three-year employment contract with Pribble.
There were nine total applicants for seven positions on the library board, which has four seats reserved for city residents and another three seats open to those living outside the city limits. Four applicants lived in the city limits and were approved, including Deborah Gregory, P.J. Hicks, Antoinette Ratliff and Betty Williams. Also appointed to serve on the board were Elissa Jeter, Connie Terry and Sharon Wolfkill.
The new library board appointees will serve two-year terms.
The council discussed possibilities for local observances of the Texas America250 celebration this year.
In 2026, America commemorates and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Across the nation, events that encourage celebration, reflection and commemoration are being planned at local and statewide levels.
A Joint Resolution of the 87th Texas Legislature signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021 established the Texas America250 Commission to help celebrate the semiquincentennial.
Council member Amy Teal said that the parks board began discussions about the observation at its first meeting, which was held recently. She pointed out that donations could be accepted for local events under parks and recreation.
Representatives of the Whitney Area Museum were also present to discuss plans, which include flying a flag in observance of the semiquincentennial at the museum, collecting stories about Whitney’s history and opening the museum for related programs.
The council approved a city-sponsored “Water is Life” art poster contest for junior high and high school students. Three winners will be selected and asked to attend the April 16 council meeting.
Participants must be between 13 and 21 years of age and from Whitney. The contest will run through April 2, with winners announced April 6. Any open form of 2D media can be used. Paper must be lightweight for hanging and no larger than 11” x 17”.
Art will be displayed at the library or other locations in town, and medals will be awarded to first through third place.
Entries can be dropped off at the library during normal business hours. Students should include their name, school and phone number on the back of their entry, and all art will be returned to the students.
For more information about the contest, call 254-694-4639.
The council approved amending the city’s ordinance related to water meters to establish a water leak adjustment process. The change will put in writing the city’s current practice of offering an adjustment when a resident experiences a water leak.
In other action, the council voted to issue a request for proposals for banking services and approved a joint election agreement with Whitney ISD for the May election. Action was tabled on a legal services agreement with Messer and Fort, PLLC and amendments to the city’s financial policy.
In departmental reports, Mayor Janice Sanders provided an update on a proposal to move the city’s May election to November. Sanders said that the deadline to make that change was in December, and information from the Texas Secretary of State advised that entities can only move their elections in odd-numbered years.
Whitney Fire & Rescue provided January statistics showing a total of 209 fire and EMS calls for the month. There were 136 fire department calls, including six fire calls in the city and 19 in the county, and 62 first responder calls in the city and 49 in the county. On the EMS side, there were 73 calls for January, including 67 in the city and six in the county. The average EMS response time was 5.5 minutes in the city and 9 minutes in the county.
The police department’s January report showed a total of 223 incidents, including 84 traffic stops, two arrests and 109 citations or warnings issued. The department received four animal control calls for service during the month.
The Public Works Department’s report showed two water leaks repaired in January and one water tap completed. There were seven water calls for service and four sewer calls in January.
The library’s January report showed 15 new library cards issued and 1,186 total visitors. There were 122 visitors who used computers and 86 provided direct assistance. The library offered 30 unique events and programs for the month with 338 participants. There were 269 materials checked out of the library in January.
The council’s next regular meeting will be held in the library’s meeting room Thursday, March 19, at 6 p.m.
The Lakelander 