Council Adopts Budget, New Fees

The Wills Point city council approved the 2008-2009 budget of $4,678,123 with amendments during the regular meeting held on Tuesday.

The first amendment reflected new fees assessed by the county for dispatching services. Van Zandt County is billing communities $500 a month for the service beginning October 1.

The other amendment regarded changes in fees charged by Wills Point EMS. Base rate pickups in the city will be increased from $650 to $800, and in the county from $850 to $1,000.

The council also announced new water and sewer rates. The new rates would create a minimum charge for usage under 700 gallons, as opposed to the current minimum for 2,000 gallons.

The new minimums of $16.25 for 0-700 gallons of water and $23.05 for sewage would represent a savings of $18.20 to those customers.

New minimum charges for the use of 701-2,000 gallons will be $26.00 for water, and 31.50 for sewage.

Incremental increases for higher usage are as follows:

2,001-10,000 gallons: water – $1.95, sewage – $1.85

10,001-15,000 gallons: water – $2.05, sewage – $1.95

15,001-50,000 gallons: water – $2.10, sewage – $2.10

50,001-100,000 gallons: water – $2.20, sewage – $2.20

Over 100,00 gallons: water - $2.45, sewage – $2.45

The net effect of the rate changes would represent a cost of $3,024 to the city per year.

"These changes are an effort to help some of our citizens that do not use over 700 gallons of water," city manager Jim Stephens said after the meeting.

The council also approved a contract with C&C Engineering to provide inspection services on all new construction. A schedule of fees can be obtained at city hall.

The council approved a request from the EDC for a land incentive of approximately five acres for CAT Commercial Concrete. CAT plans to construct a commercial facility at the industrial park.

The council was presented with a proposed contract for lease of the Cartwright Building by the YMCA. The contract will be voted on at the next meeting.

"It’s my understanding that the Cartwright Building has been completed for two years and has not been utilized," Stephens said. "Having activity in there will be a real positive for the community."

Mayor Scott McGriff informed the council that a fine in the amount of $14,880 from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had been paid. The fine was for violations that occurred in 2006. The money will go into a fund that will finance later environmental projects in Van Zandt County.

Acting EMS Director Chuck Allen presented a proposal regarding a third-party billing agency Southwest General Services. The agency would provide the EMS with computers to enter patient and care information.

The effect of the system, Allen said, would increase efficiency in the billing and collections for the EMS, and increase the amount collected from Medicaid.

The agency charges would increase from eight to 13 percent commission. Council member Deby Frye questioned the cost of the program, and whether personnel could increase efficiency apart from purchasing the service.

A vote will take place on the proposal at the next council meeting.

Chief of police Scott Johnson announced that representatives from the Union Pacific Railroad would conduct railroad safety seminars at two campuses in Wills Point. The representatives will be at the middle school on September 17, and at the junior high on October 7. Bus drivers will also be given railroad safety classes on October 7.

The city manager announced a seminar to be taught by John Burleson of the Texas International Code Council for the Building and Standards and the Zoning Commissions. The seminar will be held from 5-7 p.m. on October 2.

Also, on October 2, the city will host an employee appreciation luncheon to recognize long-term employees. The event will be held at noon at the chamber of commerce building.

Speaking after the meeting, McGriff said he was pleased with the direction of the city’s finances.

"This time last year we were having trouble meeting payroll," McGriff said. "We finished this year with a small surplus. The surplus is small, and not enough to meet any major unexpected expenses, but it is a move in the right direction."