Received a positive update about the financial standing for the City of Fairfield, during a visit last week with City Administrator Nate Smith.
He went over a report presented at the November 9, 2021 Council meeting that showed sales tax collection up, despite the recent inflation experienced nationwide.

“We got the latest yesterday, and November’s numbers are 16% higher than last year,” said Administrator Smith.

The City Administrator also relayed that next month will be their last payment, on the City’s last outstanding debt.

This does not include the current TDCJ project, which will be paid off by the State, even though the actual loan was arranged through the City of Fairfield.

In other words, local taxpayers are not on the hook for this particular debt.

Certainly, this puts the City of Fairfield in a great position for completing the project of building a new City Hall.

The former City Hall on Mount Street was vacated due to issues with mold and a cracking foundation. It has since been razed, and the empty lot stands ready.

City Administrator Smith said he is hopeful that Fairfield continues to move this project forward before interest rates begin to go up.

Historically, raising interest rates is the solution to periods of inflation, such as what the U.S. has currently been experiencing. According to Smith, financial experts are expecting this to happen the middle of next year.

In the meantime, City staff currently works out of several locations:

The police department, dispatch and municipal court are housed at a building on the fairgrounds at 839 E. Commerce Street, which has been renovated for that purpose. Prior to that, it was rented out for community meetings and events.

Administration and utilities are housed in a rental building at 425 W. Commerce Street. This facility is not owned by the City.

Council meetings are held, courtesy of Fairfield ISD, at the FISD Career and Technology Education Complex at 960 E. Commerce Street.

The Green Barn Civic Center, where Council meetings were originally held after vacating the former City Hall on Mount Street, has been under renovation.

“We put the new doors in today,” said City Administrator Smith. The Concrete pad will be next, followed by a site visit with Oncor, then they will be ready for HAVC.

Smith commented that the new windows are giving the building a different look, with all the natural light allowed to come in.

He also states that the stage is smaller, but better. They took the old wood flooring, sanded it down, and used it as a backdrop.

Be looking for a sneak peek in the next few weeks.

Here is a quick update of Council actions taken during last week’s meeting:

–A request from the Freestone County Fair Association for Hotel/Motel funds to assist with the 100-Year Celebration in June was tabled. The $150,000 request is being looked over by PHLI to insure that items meet the State’s requirements for use of Hotel/Motel funds. Originally, the City of Fairfield had budgeted $10,000 for the event and, according to City Administrator Smith, Freestone County had budgeted $15,000. It is unknown at this time whether other Cities in the County have plans to contribute.

–A report from the Golden Circle Special Needs Association about the 2021 Big T Bash was postponed to December, as not all invoices had been paid to date.

–A contract with Fairfield Softball Association for 2021-2022 was approved. This is an annual contract that included no changes from the previous year.

–A Resolution for Opioid Settlement was approved. Forty states across the nation participated in a lawsuit against certain opioid manufacturers for deceptive advertising. According to the City Administrator Smith, there is a certain procedure in place for Cities under 100K population, and this is the first step for receiving the settlement funds. The City of Fairfield is due to receive $1,519.67, and Council will discuss how to use those funds at a later date.

–Eagle Crossing will be the new name of the street that runs from the Sandlots softball fields at Oak Street to the Junior High / High School campus at Post Oak Road. Council approved the resolution proposed by their newest Councilmember, Arland Thill. Fairfield ISD has offered to pay half of the cost for signs and installation.

–The resignation of Officer Joshua Ashley was accepted. According to his letter, Ashley has taken on a position in another field of work, but plans to continue as a reserve officer for the City of Fairfield.

–Council approved to release a Request for Qualifications for Design / Build Consultant on the City Hall Project. City Administrator Smith said the State law requires a separate engineer / architect to be named as a consultant for design / build projects. (see page 4-B to read the notice)

–Bids will be accepted, following Council approval, to purchase a .76 acre plot on East Main Street. City Administrator Smith believes that property may have been purchased as a future well site, that was never completed. (see page 4-B for details)

–The Old Mexia Road project by Fairfield EDC received approvals for a contract with KSA Engineering, as well as a professional services agreement with Pierce-Murray Land Solutions for surveying purposes. These are required for the EDA Grant that has made the project possible.

–Council also approved an Investment Policy for Fairfield EDC, as required by auditors.

–Appointment of Bobby Nichols was approved to the Fairfield EDC – type B Board. This was a simple formality, required because of the Fairfield organization’s change from an Industrial Development Corporation to an Economic Development Corporation.

–Equipment rental was approved for Mimms Creek debris removal from clarifier #1 and East Areation Basin.