Continuing to discuss their FY 25-26 budget, the Sundown City Council worked through expenses planned for the upcoming year during their monthly meeting.
City Administrator Billy Hernandez explained that the process for installing a new water main in the southwest portion of town is ongoing. The City did receive a $500,000 grant, but there is a little shortfall when it comes to completely covering the project.
“We are not anticipating any more than $25,000 that we are going to have to make up,” said Hernandez.
Looking at expenses for the Sundown Police Department, roughly $8,400 will be allocated for an Axion payment to cover body cameras and tasers that the department utilizes.
At the landfill, roughly $5,000 will be allocated for increasing the pay of the gate attendant. With the pay never being adjusted in the past 20-plus years for the part-time employee, the Council felt that an increase was justified.
Utilizing Texas Health for insurance, the City did get a 4% rate increase for the coming year. For Republic Services, a 3% rate increase this year which will be passed to the residents.
In regard to capital expenditures, a vehicle payment for the police department is marked at $28,000. Additionally, a public works vehicle payment is naked for roughly $10,000.
Hernandez noted the City received their certified appraisal numbers over the weekend from the Hockley County Appraisal District.
The appraisals did contain a 4% increase. A tax rate will be discussed at a later date as that is the last big ticket item Hernandez is waiting for to provide concrete numbers to the Council to approve a budget and tax rate.
Continuing the meeting, the Council deliberated the allocation of money in the Park Maintenance Fund. Consisting of $15,000, two areas the City looked at was the adult womens softball field and the little league baseball field.
Noting that the softball field has been neglected for years and needs major maintenance. The City does not have a youth softball league but with the success the Sundown Roughettes have been having with softball the Council believes it would be beneficial to put some of these funds into the field.
Another issue raised was where is the City is going to find volunteers to help rebuild the field. The City is hoping their citizens will see they are putting in the work and will want to volunteer. At the end of the discussion the city decided to split the funds down the middle between little league and the softball field.
The Council also signed a resolution with the South Plains Community Action Association (SPCAA), which is non-profit organization that aids in over 100 counties across Texas. All programs provided are focused on enabling people to achieve self-sufficiency and escape poverty by providing them with the resources to achieve that goal. The program aids like job training, education and tuition assistance, childcare, transportation, health services and much more.
Diving into department updates, the Streets Department wrapped up their rental of a street sweeper. Utilizing the machine for three weeks, the City covered the expense with Morton and Ralls for a discounted rate. Additionally, the Streets Department helped with several projects at the Sundown City Library. The Council was also informed that mosquito spraying continues throughout the city following the heavy rains received towards the beginning of July.
The Council also talked about a rotation schedule for lawn maintenance. Approving the hiring of additional summer help, the City is working to take care of areas such as the pool, RV park, community center, Sunset Park and the Senior Citizens Center.
The schedule will make sure every area is getting mowed and being maintained.
For the library, staff tallied over 1,000 visitors this past month. Continuing apply for grant opportunities when available, the library did get denied for the CH Foundation. Library Director A’ndrea McAdams did inform the Council that other grant opportunities will become available. Additionally, McAdams announced the Brushes and Boomtown mural was finished as well.
Police Chief Jared Foster shared that members of the department went to the Texas State School Conference.
Also, the battery backup system is now installed on the repeater, where they will be testing it out on the sirens and turning on and off the power to make sure it works.
A public hearing was held for the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report. With no one in attendance to speak on the matter, the report was approved. Hernandez added that the report gave the City an approved rating but not a superior rating. He noted that is because of the amount ofn fluoride in the water but is still at an appropriate level.
The council reviewed and approved the Quarterly Financial and Investment Reports with no issued. The council considered the payables for the month of June which was passed with no issue.
The Oil Patch Day is on August 9th where there will be a parade and a fire work show at the end.