Citizens present petition
Seek citywide election on park funding, tax hike
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

The conceptual plan for the proposed city park as presented in its preliminary stages.

Armed with approximately 320 signatures, Bob Hamilton filed a petition Tuesday night protesting the city's intent to issue certificates of obligation and calling for a citywide election on the matter. City council members voted to table the issue, allowing time to determine the validity of the petition, which must be signed by 5 percent of Whitehouse's registered voters.

Following the completion of all agenda items, council members recessed their regular monthly meeting and were scheduled to reconvene last night for petition results.

At issue is $4.5 million in funding for a city park project and water well. The estimated effect on the tax rate would be an additional six cents or about $75 per year for the average homeowner.

In addition to Hamilton, four other Whitehouse residents addressed the council on this issue, including Johnny Smith who presented a separate petition protesting the preliminary park site plan. He was one of about 45 people who attended last Thursday's town hall meeting and questioned several design elements of the proposed park.

Other speakers at Tuesday's meeting were Elliott Godwin, who asked about drainage issues and appraisal values for the park land, and Gary Smith, who spoke out against increasing the tax rate.

"We're taxed enough in this town. We work four jobs to pay for our house," he said, adding that there were already ample recreational opportunities in this area. "We don't want to be taxed for something we don't need."

Although council took no action on the issue, Tom Lawrence, a financial consult from Dallas, reported on terms for the proposed certificates of obligation. Calling it one of the "best offers I've ever seen," Lawrence said Bank of America was offering a 4.07 percent 20- year fixed rate. If the petition holds and the city has to postpone action until an election, a new rate search would be necessary, said Lawrence.

Jan Bellefeuille also addressed the council in citizen participation, asking for a change to the city's outdoor burning ordinance. She described a recent fire that left her home covered in smoke for four days.

Council later considered the issue and directed City Manager Ronny Fite to look at ways of strengthening the current ordinance.

In other agenda items, Fite informed council of plans to proceed with a water option contract this Friday at a meeting with Lake Striker officials. In related matter, the council approved an interlocal agreement between the City of Whitehouse and the City of Troup for water rights.

City attorney Steven Evans told council that this was just phase one of a series of agreements that would need to be addressed as the Lake Striker project progressed.

Council members also called for an election Saturday, May 12, for council places 1, 3, and 5, currently held by Bill Powers, Danny Hogden and Dale Moran, respectively. City secretary Stefani Hughes updated council on new state mandates that require a school to join with either a city or county in holding elections, and conducting those elections at one polling place. WISD would like to hold elections with the city, she said, and an agreement between the city and school is in the works.

Council also approved the addition of Michael Jeter and Nicole Smith to the Planning & Zoning Commission and accepted the resignation of Mary Ann Keas. Teresa Harris and Scott Dillingham were welcomed to the Parks & Recreation Commission. Both commissions still have one vacancy.

Council also approved a plan for implementing the Vision 2020 Master Plan, to be effective at the beginning of the fiscal year in October 2007. The top priority of the plan is overhauling zoning ordinances. Council approved the overall plan outline but with an annual budget review.

Preliminary estimate for the four-year plan is $137,000.

The city's current employee dress code was upheld, as council members opted not to consider Power's request that it be amended to require all male employees be clean-shaven or have only a small mustache.