Greetings from Bartonville. The last month has been very busy. After considerable discussion, the Town Council passed the Fiscal Year 2014/15 Town budget which goes in to effect on Oct. 1, 2014. The council also voted unanimously to maintain the current property tax rate of $0.192940 per $100 valuation.
Bartonville’s property tax rate remains one of the lowest in Denton County. Some of the highlights of the adopted budget are as follows:
– Over $180,000 for Year 2 of the Street Maintenance Plan;
– Approval of $396,130 (41% of budget) for funding of the Bartonville Police Department. This includes 1 Police Chief and 3 Full Time Officers; and
-A 3 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for all current town employees.
With the recent retirement of our Chief of Police, we have initiated a search process for a replacement. A committee has been formed; led by Mayor Pro-tem Jim Langford, and consisting of two council members, a member of the Crime Control Committee, a citizen at large and the Town Administrator. We hope to have a Chief in place by the New Year.
Bartonville’s rural environment is cherished and heavily defended by our residents. In this spirit, and after considerable community input; Planning and Zoning, as well as the Town Council, denied the proposed high density housing development, Ladera, located behind the Bartonville Town Center.
The next major issue for the town will be the Conditional Use Permit and Zoning Change Request by Cross Timbers Water Corporation, for the completion of a water tower located off I.T. Neely Road (South of Bartonville Town Center next to the high tension electric lines). Planning and Zoning addressed the request/application at its Oct. 1 meeting; Council will consider the application at the Oct. 21 meeting. The town is having an independent water engineering study completed to assist with the decision making process. The survey completion date is Sept. 30.
Other recent events included National Night Out on Oct. 7 at Town Hall, which included a bounce house, face painting, and magic show; with food and beverages provided by Kroger. National Night Out is held each year to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood and police partnerships and let criminals know that neighborhoods are fighting back against crime.
Additionally, I began monthly informal “Meet the Mayor” meetings to allow citizens to present ideas on improving the town and discuss any concerns. The first of these meetings was held on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall with monthly meetings thereafter.
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