B'boro City Council approves mid-year financial analysis

In going over their mid-year budget analysis, during their regularly scheduled meeting last Thursday, the Brownsboro city council had very few adjustments to make for the second half of the fiscal year.

"I might say I am very pleased with where we are at this point," said Brownsboro Mayor Ronny Harris.

Harris and the city council went over each line item in order to make any necessary adjustments.

"We certainly have adequate revenue to support our expenses without going into our reserve," Harris said. "I don't know about you guys, but two years ago I would have never thought we'd be in the great position we are in. I'm very pleased to be able to present and adopt this midyear budget as presented."

In other business the city council approved final payment to McKinney & Moore, Inc. of Jacksonville, for the completed construction of the Sleepy Hollow lift station and force main in the amount of $14,842.27. On January 8, the city's staff and consulting engineer, Velvin & Weeks Consulting Engineer, Inc., of Athens, certified the work of the contract was complete and ready for final payment, and that construction contractor McKinney & Moore, Inc. have met all contractual obligations. The $148,842.27 contract includes a one-year warranty period beginning Jan. 8, 2007 through Jan. 8, 2008.

Chris Weeks of Velvin & Weeks reported the final phase of the Sleepy Hollow project is now underway with the installment of sewer lines from the new lift station to Sleepy Hollow residents.

The city council also approved increasing Brownsboro Police Chief Ron Shield's salary by 5 percent.

"Certainly he has saved us a lot more than that amount and it is duly deserved," Mayor Harris said.

Through Shield's increased efficiency in running the Brownsboro police department, the police supplies budget was reduced by $9 thousand during the mid-year budget analysis portion of the meeting.

"We can't express enough our appreciation you're here and we hope to keep you here," Mayor Harris said.

"I love it here," Shields said.

After tabling the agenda item for the last few months, the city council moved forward this month with the approval of a Resolution and Ordinance with the National Flood Insurance Program. Floodplain management is the operation of a community program of corrective and preventative measures for reducing flood damage. These measures take a variety of forms and generally include requirements for zoning, subdivision or building, and special-purpose floodplain management ordinances. A community's agreement to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances, particularly with respect to new construction is an important element in making flood insurance available to home and business owners.

"This will be something the city will have to consider at some point," Mayor Harris said. "Lending institutions require cities pass ordinances for the National Flood Insurance program. "

Councilman Randall Clayton felt it was important to move forward with the Resolution and Ordinance and completion of the application in order to remove any possible barriers when Dusty Wise applies for funding for his new 10,000 sq, ft. grocery store (Y's Hometown Grocery).

Unable to enlarge his total store area at its present location, Wise purchased a 1.035-acre tract in eastern Brownsboro between FM 3204 and State Hwy. 31, and is proposing to construct a new building to relocate his burgeoning grocery business currently located on Hwy. 31, at Stuart St., in downtown Brownsboro. During their December 14 meeting the city council agreed to sponsor a Texas Capital Fund Real Estate Development grant application through the Brownsboro Economic and Development Corporation and Mr. Wise to assist in his development of a new, larger grocery store.

The city council approved Judy Starr's request to place a 14'x60' mobile home on her property for repair purposes only, for a period of six months. In the meantime, Ms. Starr said she will be looking for a place to relocate the mobile home permanently once the repairs are complete.

Debora McAlister and Dawn Cunningham asked the city council for help in resolving a flooding problem in their home on Farm-to-Market Road 607. McAlister and Cunningham said since construction has begun on a new development behind their home, they have experienced water mixed with red clay running into the back of their home, under kitchen cabinets, and buckling tiles and flooring. They stated they spoke with the owner, Dennis Walker, about the situation, however, Walker denied responsibility and said it was the natural flow of the water.

"We never had a problem before the development began," Ms. McAlister said.

Since the development is situated inside the Brownsboro city limits Mayor Harris said he would discuss the matter with Mr. Walker about a remedy to the problem.

Ms. Cunningham told the city council of an incident where the red mud washed over FM 607 causing traffic problems, prompting the fire department to set up cones and direct traffic until the mess was cleared up.

The Brownsboro City Council meets the second Thursday of the month, at 5:00 p.m., in the community center.