Citizen petition valid; city to call election

The petition to stop the City of Whitehouse from issuing certificates of obligation in the amount of $4.5 million was deemed valid last Wednesday.

Reconvening from Tuesday's regular meeting, City Secretary Stefani Hughes confirmed the petition had been signed by at least five percent of the city's approximately 4,000 registered voters.

Council will consider the election at the February meeting; they have until March 12 to order the election and have the issue placed on the May 12 ballot.

Among the proposed funds was $1.5 million for water wells; council has since dropped those funds from the intended CO purchase and issued a tax anticipation note instead.

The remaining $3 million would fund the development of a city park project, including the construction of a street connecting FM 346 to Hillcreek Road.

Estimates have the average homeowner's property taxes rising by $75 annually to pay for the project, prompting concerned citizens to initiate a petition and forcing a public vote.