Town of Westover Hills
Public Release
SUMMARY OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD JULY 17, 2012

August 14, 2012

 

The Town recently adopted the practice of providing written summaries of Town Council meetings to residents. These summaries are intended to help residents stay informed about significant events in the Town and to encourage residents to participate in the governance of our Town.

 

Following is a summary of the significant topics discussed and actions taken at the July 17, 2012 Town Council meeting.

 

Review of Variance Request

  • A variance request was presented for the property located at 30 Valley Ridge Road.
  • The request was tabled to allow the neighbor most affected by the proposed variance time to provide feedback.

 

Repair of Sewer Line behind Canterbury Drive

  • Town staff presented competing bids for the emergency repair of a leaking sewer line running between the south end of Deepdale Drive and the north end of Canterbury Drive.
  • The Council approved the use of the contractor recommended by Town staff and the Town's engineering consultant following the competitive bidding process. The project cost is estimated at roughly $142,000.

 

Building Permit Fee Discussion

  • The Council discussed the large disparity between the cost of building permits in Westover Hills and Fort Worth as well as the financial objective for building permit revenue to cover the costs of the Town's building department.
  • The Council decided that the matter should be evaluated as a component of the broader budgeting process for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. The matter was tabled to be taken up during future budget workshops.

 

Review of Tiered Water Pricing Structure

  • The Council commented on the large number of resident complaints heard during the recent election cycle about the cost of water in Westover Hills and the punitive nature of the current tiered water pricing structure, under which the cost of each gallon of water increases as a resident reaches certain volume usage thresholds.
  • The tiered pricing structure was implemented in December 2010 to encourage water conservation. However, resident feedback and increased water usage since implementation of the tiered system suggest that the higher prices may not discourage water use in the Town, but instead simply cost residents more to maintain their yards.
  • Based on resident input, the Council expressed a desire to revert to a flat rate water pricing system under which each gallon of water would cost the same amount, regardless of usage. The Council will review water pricing alternatives as a component of the Town's fiscal 2013 budgeting process.
  • During conversation with residents, the Council also acknowledged the merits of attempting to shift marginal revenue generation from water sales to ad valorem (i.e., property) taxes, to the extent such a shift could be fairly implemented. Such a shift would allow more of residents' payments to the Town to be deductible for federal income tax purposes and would thereby reduce residents' after-tax costs of living in Westover Hills. The Council welcomes resident feedback on this topic.

 

Budget Workshops Scheduled

  • The Mayor and Council scheduled open Budget Workshops for Tuesday, July 31st, 2012 and Monday, August 13th, 2012.
  • The agendas were set to include the review of an employee benefit proposal by Town staff as well as discussion and potential action on the Town's general operating, water enterprise, and capital expenditures budgets for fiscal 2013 and potential changes in the Ad Valorem tax rate.

  

Residents who would like to receive these newsletters electronically but are not currently on the distribution list may contact Westover Hills Public Works Director Tim Chambers ([email protected] or 817-737-8442) to "opt in" to future communications.