Just the Facts about Copper Canyon — August 2019

Copper Canyon’s annual 4^th of July parade was a huge success and had a record turnout of around 200 people this year! Thank you to the Woodlands Women’s Club who did an outstanding job of organizing the parade and cookout. Many families came out to join the parade with their classic antique cars and trucks, boats, golf carts, horses and even a wrecker! Other residents lined the streets of the Woodlands to wave and celebrate the 4^th of July with neighbors. Thank you to Rick Jordan who supplied the cold drinks and grill for the picnic after the parade.

There are many constructive and positive actions being taken at town hall with the Staff and Council these days. Our Town Administrator, Donna Welsh, is coordinating with various council members on changes to procedures including working on a grant for a new, more user-friendly website for Copper Canyon. This will make it easier for residents to get information on the actions of the Town Council as well as give new residents easier access to questions regarding the Town’s utilities and other questions of interest. She is also in the process of revising the monthly pro forma, updating information on the 2018 tax rolls as well as reviewing vendor contracts, investigating new town software for permits and reviewing ways for more streamline, efficient ways to operate Copper Canyon.

Members of the recently developed committee to look into road repairs and the drainage issues met last month and discussed topics including a road repair maintenance schedule, storm water issues, areas of concern with drainage and bridges. They also spent time walking the areas of most concern in town and brainstormed ways to address the flooding concerns of residents.

I am currently working with Council Member Steve Hill and our Town Administrator on the 2019-2020 budgets to be presented at the August 12 council meeting. I anticipate this meeting to very informative and one all residents will want to attend. Recently, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Castleman, Town Administrator Donna Welsh and I met with Sheriff Tracy Murphree and Chief Larry Kish of the Denton County Sheriff’s Department to re-negotiate the contract for law enforcement services. The result was a savings to Copper Canyon of almost $150,000 per year. I anticipate removing up to 20% of wasteful spending from the total budget next year for the town of Copper Canyon.

Our Town Secretary, Sheila Morales, has been working on a new method of transcription of the city council minutes. She is now preparing “action” minutes versus “verbatim” minutes which are saving hours of time transcribing the audio. (The average time to prepare the minutes was 17 hours as opposed to 2 hours under the new system.) In addition, Sheila is planning software implementation for accounts payable and receivable functions, municipal court actions, permitting, and payroll. Once completed, all the accounts including general ledger will be in once place. Most residents do not realize the Town Secretary also handles processing permits and contractor registrations, answering questions from residents regarding remodels or accessory buildings, working with developers about ordinances and issues with new subdivisions as well as processing plats, replats and payroll. Even in a town the size of Copper Canyon, there are many issues each day and we are fortunate to have such a qualified, professional staff working on our behalf.

Robin Douglas-Davis, Town Council Place 4, and Ted Stranczek, Town Council Place 2, were in Round Rock July 18-19 to attend the Newly Elected City Officials’ Orientation, sponsored by the Texas Municipal League and the Texas Association of Mayors, Councilmembers and Commissioners, an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League. Elected officials from all over the state attended the meeting, which provided an opportunity for newly elected city officials to voluntarily enhance their knowledge of city government and sharpen their leadership skills. In addition, the orientation offered an opportunity to visit with elected officials from across Texas to learn how other cities are coping with similar challenges. During this event, attendees were offered sessions on topics such as leadership, open government, parliamentary procedure, financial responsibilities, ethics, economic development, and media relations. The Texas Municipal League is a voluntary association of 1,160 Texas cities.  The Town of Copper Canyon is a member of the Texas Municipal League.

The next few months are going to be very busy and productive times for the Town.  I encourage everyone to try to attend the council meetings and stay informed on the progress we are making in Copper Canyon.