WH council to meet July 22

Whitehouse City Council held a special meeting on July 10, interviewing four firms for city engineering and setting a schedule for other special meetings and budget workshops.

The four firms are PBS&J of Tyler, Stokes & Associates of Henderson, KSA of Longview and Brannon Corp of Tyler.

As the city prepares for future annexation and expansion, as well as Lake Striker pipeline and treatment plant, council decided to pursue a larger firm to handle the city's engineering needs. Council has also expressed frustration in the past with projects coming in late.

City Manager Ronny Fite said there was not a significant difference among the firms, "they are all good," and that their fee structures were similar.

Council members asked questions of represenatives of all firms and will vote later. The next regular meeting is July 22.

Council also discussed premliminary work on the 2008- 09 budget. The city's fiscal year begins in October, and Financial Director Jed Dillingham gave a brief overview of budget possibilities. Council also discussed and set a preliminary schedule for budget workshops and public hearings on next year's tax rate.

Special meetings are planned Aug. 5, 18 and Sept. 9.