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Council members Stephen Smith (right) and Jerry Radney (left) discuss Como’s financials at the February 11 council meeting/ Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer
Council also budgets more for police
COMO- The Como city council discussed their budget at their regular February meeting, among other items of business.
After opening with a prayer at 5:30 p.m., the council unanimously approved their January meeting minutes.
Presenting the current funds report, Mayor Darla Henry told those assembled the fire department had $6798.73 in their bank account. According to budget statements, the fire department had only two expenditures in January: $65 for auto repair and $105 to Joe Bob’s convenience stores for fuel.
January bills for the city came in at approximately $17,686 and the city had a total of approximately $324,137 in all accounts, according to current budget documents.
The only item Henry felt was not “business as usual” in budget payments was a $619 item from Delta Industrial Services which was a thermal imaging camera. According to Public Safety Director Andy Lowen, the camera will be shared between the police and fire departments.
The council unanimously approved the January 2020 financials.
Henry then moved on to discussion of the 2020 budget. A major difference, Henry noted, was the budgeted amount for the police department, which has jumped from $2000 to $5000.
“We want to take care of them and provide their needs,” Henry said. “I want Andy [Lowen] to know he has a little bit of money in there for some wiggle room… we want to start going forward and taking care of the police department,” Henry said.
Henry said as this is the first year Como will have an operational police force, in 2021 the council will be able to more effectively judge the new department’s budgeting needs.
“Hopefully next year we can let them create their budget and be self-sufficient,” Henry said. “Until then I’ve put it up just a little bit.”
Council member Jerry Radney stated that the department had been “waiting patiently” on grant funding, and that because he desired the police department to have all funding available to them, “come spring I want to start addressing that.”
Henry stated that while waiting on grant disbursal, she had planned for the city to “pay for it out of our own pocket and then reimburse ourselves.” Radney agreed but stated he believed it should be noted as an income source in March, “so that way we have a paper trail.” Henry stated she thought his method for documentation was “perfect.”
On discussion and or action regarding a plat for a property in the 2000 block of East Main Street, the property’s owner was not present, so the council did not discuss the item.
Ted Joiner presented to the council about sanitation on Taylor Street and progress with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
“I been out to that area in the rain and I will take care of any bacteria that’s on the ground,” Joiner said. “I do have my own cleanup going, and after that we’ll be finished with the project. We should be able to close by the end of this week.”
Henry clarified that all items were repaired and Joiner said they were.
“We did self-report that to TCEQ,” Henry said. “We felt that us just going ahead and calling them and due to no fault… here’s the issue, here’s what we’re doing to fix it. I have been writing and sending reports.”
Joiner notified the council, however, that Taylor Street was “so wet up there” and repairs would “need to dry up” before he could use a backhoe to finish the work.
“Right now it’s just an open pit,” Joiner stated.
“I figured that’s what it is,” Radney said. “There’s two creeks you have to cross to get to the repair.”
Henry stated because of this TCEQ has issued the city a violation and “it is what it is.” TCEQ has since found the city in compliance, Henry said. There may be additional fines, Henry said, but the city will work with TCEQ attempt to minimize fines as they self-reported.
On the discussion and or action regarding tearing down a property in the 500 block of Lynch Street, the property’s owner was not present, so the council did not discuss the item.
In other business, Joiner discussed with the council “the sewer line problem on Haywood where all the houses come together in one spot” which he believed the council “needed to address as soon as weather permits.” The council agreed.
Lowen delivered his public safety report, which includes both fire and police departments. Lowen stated that the police squad car was “decaled up” and although it was not ready for him to present to the council, he anticipated it would be soon.
Lowen reported he had received a free, “brand-new, never-been-opened out-of-the-box” defibrillator.
The fire department’s brush truck had been involved in a two-car motor vehicle accident on February 8 while en route to assist Station 17 (Arbala) at a grass fire, Lowen reported. Lowen stated he had all necessary paperwork required from the other driver to file insurance claims.
With no additional business and no citizen comments, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.