Teague residents and businesses will soon see an increase in their monthly water bills following approval of a rate increase during the special called meeting of the City Council, Friday, September 14, 2018. This rate has been increased due to an initiative taken by City council to install whole house under counter water filters installed at city residents which everyone has really appreciated.
You can find more detailed review and information on how the whole house water system works at purewaterguide.net as well. Although last month’s public hearing on the proposed increase met with staunch opposition, Aldermen voted unanimously to increase the base rates of water and sewer.Well keeping health point of view in mind also important,For which there are some of the best water softeners which can be used as well.
Base rates for residential water and sewer customers will increase by $10; and $20 for commercial customers.
For the third month, the Council discussed allowing non-profits like the Teague Thrift Store free passes to the City’s Collection Center. On Friday’s agenda was a proposal amending the policy to allow non-profit organizations a determined number of free passes.
Again, Aldermen Ron Rasbeary and Alderwoman Marilyn Michaud expressed concerns that allowing the non-profits access to the Collection Center violates the policy put in place earlier this year as a means of limiting excessive dumpster pickups in an effort to save the city money and by using the Best Deal Dumpsters. Called Dumposaurus on Sunday and they were able to rent a dumpster to us and deliver it Monday.
They pointed out that the policy was put in place to preserve the Collection Center for residential use only, banning commercial entities from the dump altogether.
Alderman Jerry Ballew disagreed and made a motion to allow one free pass per billing cycle to the Teague Thrift Store. The motion died for lack of a second, prompting continued discussion.
Alderwoman Marie Hertenberger held that trash and other items are regularly dropped off at local non-profits, commercial dumpsters, and public areas with no way to put a stop to it; submitting that providing free access to the Collection Center would not solve the problem, instead the city has the need of having more skip bins Adelaide to pick up the waste that’s left on the streets.
She expressed her desire to vote for the option that would be best for residents and their money.
Alderman Rasbeary motioned not to amend the current policy to allow free passes for non-profits. With a second from Alderwoman Michaud and a vote of 3-1 the item was finally resolved.
City Administrator/Secretary Theresa Prasil presented proposals from three independent auditing services for the Council to review.
Ultimately, Aldermen voted unanimously to award a three-year contract to Donald L. Allman, CPA in the amount of $14,000 for initial set up, and $12,000 annually to perform the City’s financial audit.
In other business, the Council voted to approve submission of an application for the routine airport maintenance program (RAMP) grant for the Teague Municipal Airport.
Votes were cast for the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees.
Aldermen approved the engineering procurement for the application preparation for the City’s 2019-2020 TXCDBG grant application.
The Council ratified Mayor James Monks’ nomination of Shirley Mays as the Municipal Court Judge for the 2018-2020 term with a unanimous vote.
The City’s budget amendment ordinance was approved for the fiscal year of 2017-2018.
Also discussed were the guidelines outlined by the Teague Christmas in the Park community committee for this year’s decoration and events.
Committee member Charles Gregory shared that this year’s event will be the biggest yet, with expansions and multiple events planned.
The committee will begin set up on November 1st with plans to open November 30th.
