Oakwood council considers tax hike

The Oakwood City Council had another fruitful business meeting this month. The two hottest topics on the agenda were the proposed tax hike and the enforcement of city ordinances.

After the recent appraisal in this district, the City of Oakwood is looking to raise taxes by 12%. According to Stacy Salguero, City Secretary/ Court Reporter, although that might seem high, the board chose the least percentage of the three options they were given. There will be a special meeting on August 31, 2009 to allow the public to speak to this proposal before the vote is cast.

Oakwood Chief of Police, Lewis Miller, presented a P.D. progress report to the Council. According to Chief Miller, so far, most of the people issued a warning notice due to violations of the city's property maintenance ordinance have begun to clean up their act. Both Miller and the members of the Council expressed that they were pleased by this progress but, wanted to continue to enforce this ordinance. Another city ordinance that is being strongly enforced refers to animal control. Both Miller and the Council agreed to stay on top of this ordinance in hopes of cutting down not only on the stray population, but the chance of dangerous animals running loose and posing a threat to citizens.

On his "to do list" Miller expressed a desire to update the street signs in Oakwood. This includes stop signs, school zone signs, street name signs, etc. According to Miller, with either missing or damaged signs, it makes the police department's and EMS' job harder when it is difficult to get accurate directions in an emergency. After contacting other agencies in the area to inquire what their process was, he proposed to contact the Texas Department of Corrections to determine the cost of doing this project. The Council agreed.

Miller put in a request to add another member to his force. Reservist Ronnie Bostick has been working with the Oakwood P.D. for several months. The Council, based on the recommendation of Miller and credentials, hired Bostick on a part time basis. Miller pointed out that, now that Bostick is officially a part time police officer for the city of Oakwood, another vehicle would also be necessary. The Council agreed and permission was given to seek out a car for this purpose. Miller has already been in contact with his former colleages in Conroe and is looking at a 2006 Crown Victoria fully loaded with police equipment, less than 80,000 miles, with new tires, and totally reconditioned for less than $5,000. Once confirmed, Miller will bring this request back to the Council for an official vote. Miller also discussed the need to bring in another reserve officer to supplement the P.D. The Council is considering his request and is looking at possible applicants.

Other items in his report included the need to set up an expenditure budget for 2010 and the status of grant applications for the P.D. and the the Municipal Court. According to Salguero, she had recieved notice that the conditions for the grants they had applied for was "favorable", meaning likely to be approved. She later found out that the grants were approved but, not yet paid out because they were waiting to find out the amount to be awarded. The Council relayed that they were pleasantly surprise by the good news.

On the Council's agenda, was a proposal to replace a section of pipe branching off of the new water line that is going in at Whitt street and crossing 79 to go down Main St. As new pipe is already going in, the council voted to also replace this section that supplies water to two homes on the end of the line that are also old cast iron.

Also discussed by the Council, was a 2007 IRS tax bill in arears (due to a misfiling at that time) and the billing for the new water line. Both items were looked over and approved for payment.

All council members were present, except Dorothy Bell. According to Mayor Vicky Stroud, she had recieved a phone call informing her that Bell was not able to attend due to a fall and subsequent break of her ankle that had required surgery. She also informed the council that Bell was due back home the day of the meeting and would be at home recooperating.