Whitehouse city council approves well #5

The regular meeting of the Whitehouse city council began with a proclamation of praise for Eagle Scout Jordan Scott. Scott's project of refurbishing the stage in city park was a great success and completed his requirements to become an Eagle Scout.

Approval was given on the final plat for Wakefield Farms following a report by Mike Peterson, director of the office of community development. Peterson said that all requirements had been met with P&Z as well as staff recommending approval.

Ordinance 07-0724-01, authorizing the issuance of $4,359,000 City of Whitehouse, Texas limited tax refunding bond series 2007 was approved by council.

"These bonds are not borrowing any new money," said financial director Jed Dillingham. "It's just regrouping two debt issues and refinancing for a better rate."

A lengthy discussion was held in regards to future water resources - sources, development and engineering. From the discussion came approval for the drilling of a fifth well for the city as well as approval for the completion of connective lines for well number 4.

Dillingham, speaking in the absence of city manager Ronny Fite, told council that with a fifth well, the city could meet the TCEQ requirements and make the city totally self-sufficient with success in this fifth well.

The location of the drilling spot will be on Nix Lane near a gas well that did not make . According to city engineer Phil Elledge, the logs from the gas well show very good prospects for a good well.

Dillingham told council that the $75K to complete the well could be found within the budget because of the enormous savings of not having to pay Tyler for water. Dillingham compared the most recent bill from Tyler, in the amount of $98, to one from about the same time last year, in the neighborhood of $100K.

Council briefly shuf fled through the first draft of the proposed 2007-08 budget making a few notes for further discussion during a budget workshop set for 6 p.m. on Aug. 14.

An ordinance establishing temporary regulations pertaining to a new Town Center Zoning District made little progress as council and P&Z members went back and forth on the value of the ordinance without specific guidelines. The creation of the district and its distinctive architectural style was called for in the VISION 2020 plan approved by council last year.

P&Z will work on wording of the ordinance before council's next regular meeting in August.