City ordinances taking shape
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Library director Bonnie Hinkle proudly receives a proclamation from Mayor John Whitsell declaring February "Love your library" month in the city of Troup.

Among several items of business addressed during Tuesday's Troup City Council meeting was an ordinance approving new water and wastewater rates, discussion on updating the current ordinance on manufactured homes and their placement in the city as well as direction given to the city administrator to continue researching an ordinance concerning the use of engine brakes within the city.

The council voted to approve an ordinance adjusting the water and wastewater rates as lined out in the rate study developed by Dan Jackson of Economist.com. While rates will rise for customers, no increases will be seen on bills until the April 1 billing cycle. According to the study, the rate adjustments are necessary to ensure that water and wastewater utility can pay all its expenses over the next decade.

The new system will be set up on what is called an inverted block conservation rate. This will promote conservation and minimize rate adjustments on low volume, low income users.

Photo/Suzanne Loudamy Utilities director David Lamotte is presented an award by Mayor John Whitsell during Tuesday's City Council meeting. During a recent wastewater treatment compliance audit, Troup's system had no violations which gained the city the excellence award.

Following discussion of updating the city's manufactured home ordinance, the item was tabled and the city administrator was directed to continue researching the issue with the code enforcement director and bring further information to the council at an upcoming meeting.

"Troup is currently one of the only places around that allows manufactured home to come into the city," said Mayor Whitsell. Several of the council members voiced their concern over the lack of care and upkeep that is seen around many of the current homes.

The council also gave direction for further research and information to be gathered by the Chief of Police and the city administrator on issues and laws concerning the use of engine brakes within the city limits. Many residents of the senior citizens' apartments signed a petition and delivered it to City Hall requesting something be done about the noise the braking devices make when used.

Another item approved on the agenda was for an amnesty period to be offered to help collect many outstanding fines that are owed to the city. Once the document is completed, the amnesty offer will be made available to the public through the media and will run for approximately one month.

A municipal election was called for May 12 to elect candidates to the two year terms of Council Place I, Place III, and Place IV. The council approved an agreement with Troup ISD to hold a joint election. Council also approved an interlocal agreement with Smith County to provide services and conduct the municipal election. Council approval is contingent on approval of the documents by the city's attorney.

Along with items of business came recognition for the findings during a recent wastewater treatment compliance audit. Utilities director David Lamotte was given congratulations and presented the Total Coliform Rule Program Award for having no violations found during the audit.

Librar y director Bonnie Hinkle was on hand to receive a proclamation from the Mayor designating February as "Love your library" month in the city of Troup.

The Cameron - J. Jar vis Troup Municipal Library is operated by just one paid employee and a host of volunteers. Beverly Robson, Jyl Moose, Melanie Brumit, Terri Fields, Lisa Weems, Alice English and Navoline Roddy and just some of those volunteers that keep the library up and running.

"It just amazes me every year at budget time to look at how much they do with so little," said Russ Obar, City Administrator. "This truly exhibits the worth the community has for this library."

The many programs offered by the library continue to grow and branch out because the community is willing to support it.

During the recent Souper Supper, over $1,000 was raised.