Summer is just around the corner, along with the heat. Here is some info to help you stay up-to-date and cool.
Cool Updates!
The city council has unanimously adopted the Land Use Assumption Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan, allowing the city to begin assessing a Transportation Impact Fee study to be applied to future developments. The city population is expected to grow to 16,000 residents by the year 2030. Impact fees will allow for investment in infrastructure to mitigate the costs of traffic brought on by development, allowing for the city to receive revenue to accommodate for the incoming growth. Chapter 395 of the Texas Local Government Code requires cities to develop and adopt a Land Use Assumption Plan and a Capital Improvements Plan before any fees can be applied to development.
The transportation impact fees will cover new construction/expansion of roads brought on by future development.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife department has awarded the city with a $150,000 parks grant. The grant must be matched dollar-to-dollar by the city in order to fully maximize the benefits. Bloomfield development has donated $85,000 to the city to cover the match of those funds. The city is actively seeking other options to cover the remaining $65,000.
Proposed rendering of the park that will be constructed using the grant funds.
The park will be located on Stewart street, in the Chisholm neighborhood.
Financial News
Changes have been made to the budget format to allow for more transparency and clarity. The following departments will now be included on the budget; Finance, HR/Risk/ IT, Planning & Development, Health, Public Safety, Economic Development, Parks & Recreation, Communications & Public Relations. Additional departments may be added in the future in conjunction with consultation of the city auditor.
The city has received bids for the Streets Improvement Project. The city has issued $3 million of debt to cover the estimated costs of these projects, however, this will only cover about 75% of the project costs. Additionally, the city is hoping to be approved for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The city will continue to work with Pacheco-Koch & Dunaway Associates to stretch the dollars as much as possible to cover the costs of the project. The city is also looking at potential partnerships with Denton & Wise county to repair roads along county lines.
Bids received by the city for the “Streets Improvement Strategy”.
The “Streets Improvement Strategy” breaks up street repairs into smaller components so that the city can match available funds to projects.
Council News
The city council has recognized and awarded former mayor Joe Max Wilson with a plaque for his years of service to the city.
· The city council discussed options regarding changes to noise, animal control, junk storage and trash/debris code enforcement. City staff have been asked to develop options to improve enforcement efforts, including budgetary options.
