The Levelland City Council held a regular meeting Monday, which was geared towards another Red Flour Beetle update and adoption of the 2023-2024 Budget and Tax Rate.
Citizens residing within the Kaufman Addition and surrounding area have continued to be vocal during council meetings regarding the on-going infestation of the Red Flour Beetle in the area.
Hockley County Emergency Management Coordinator Cole Kirkland has continued to speak to the public and council as he has been the individual tasked with getting plans in motion by the council.
In his most recent update Monday, Kirkland informed everyone in attendance that he had meetings with Penny Newman executives where they agreed to remove the almond hulls believed to be the source of the infestation from the rail park.
Due to the amount of almond hulls on the businesses property, the business has asked for at least 10-12 days given the sheer volume of product to be moved.
Kirkland added that they are hopeful it will be done closer to nine days, but they asked for additional days to ensure it will be done.
As the hulls are moved, the Emergency Management Department plans to spray the ground throughout the Penny Newman site, as well as fumigate around the Kaufman Addition to catch as many of the beetles in transition as possible.
A 2(ee) waiver has been obtained by the city from the Texas Department of Agriculture in order to allow them to use a chemical, currently in use for mosquitoes, on the Red Flour Beetles. Kirkland added that notifications can be sent through emergency notification texts, Facebook and the city website when a spraying schedule is set.
Penny Newman has been given citations every day since the 1st of September when it was revealed that the abatement process was unsuccessful.
Kirkland explained that the hulls would be transported to a facility near Amarillo. He then explained that an ordinance is in the works to hopefully be in place by next year that would tighten the requirements for where and how commodities could be stored at the rail park, and increases the requirements for pest management programs for any facility there as well.
It was asked if the funds from the fines paid by Penny Newman would be dispersed to the Kaufman residents in reparations for pest control or property damage. City Attorney Matt Wade stated that the funds collected are earmarked for the general fund and support the municipal court, but the council could set up a fund for such a purpose.
Moving toward the bulk of the action items, the budget and tax rate have been looming over city staff with the absence of three department heads.
Beginning the budget discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Breann Buxkemper shared her support for the budget, and thanked the city staff for their hard work on it.
Buxkemper wanted to inform citizens that items included were a new firefighter position, a cost of living adjustment raise for all city staff, and a school resource officer on every Levelland ISD campus.
In a record vote, the council unanimously supported the budget. While budget talks progressed quickly, the tax rate conversation required more discussion.
Council proved to be more divided on how to provide the funds.
A majority of council members agreed that taxes must be raised to fund an increase in services, but Councilman Myatt explained the need to lower taxes suggested a tax rate of $0.5212.
With a balanced budget tax rate of $0.542021, Myatt’s motion did not move forward. The proposed tax rate of $0.542021 was approved in a 3-1 split with Myatt dissenting.
Explaining to those in attendance, Myatt shared his desire to give raises and add an additional fireman, however, he also raised concerns over the rising of water bill in relation to the wastewater management plant being built, as well as the raise in property values.
An ordinance was brought before the council regarding citizen’s water bills and the wastewater treatment plant being built for the city.
Last year bills were raised by $6 across the board, with plans to raise them another $6 this year, and a final $6 next year, for a total increase of $18 a month over three years. This is to assist in paying the debt owed for the construction of the wastewater treatment plant.
The Fire Suppression Agreement with Hockley County was also discussed.
A long-standing agreement wherein the county pays per fire run required outside city limits for Levelland Fire Department to respond, this year negotiations stalled, as it was the end of a twoyear contract. Negotiations for another were in order, though the city wished to see the payout increase to offset fuel prices and inflation.
After deliberation, the county had a counter-offer which would see a 3% increase in amount paid per run beginning on October of 2024, and running throughout the last year of the contract. This would take the payout from $945 where it sits currently to $974 per run for the final year of that contract. This was seen as amicable to the council, who voted to approve it unanimously.