Highland Village council members discussed the 2011-12 General Fund budget with staff at their July 10 meeting. While the final tax roll is not yet received, appraised value is projected to increase slightly from last year’s certified roll. There is no proposed change to the property tax rate, according to the city.
Budget discussions will continue over the next two meetings, followed by the formal presentation of the City Manager recommended budget at the August 28 meeting.
A public hearing will be conducted at that meeting, as well as the September 11 meeting, to obtain public input. Concurrently, the proposed budget will be posted on the City website.
During the Mayor and Council comments section, Mayor Davis presented Assistant City Manager Ken Heerman with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
In order to receive this award, the city had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines determine how well a city’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device. The City of Highland Village has received this award for nine consecutive years.
Council approved two resolutions related to the landscape beautification of FM 2499 medians.
The first was the acceptance of $800,000 of Green Ribbon Project funds for the FM 2499 median landscaping. The Green Ribbon Project is a legislative action designed to improve air quality and beautify roadways in Texas. The funding is based on a percent of TxDOT’s construction money, and is targeted to improve counties that are close to exceeding federal air pollution standards. The city applied for these funds for the FM 2499 Beautification Project. No hardscape items qualify for the funding.
The second resolution sets up a Landscape Maintenance Agreement with TxDOT to define the authority and responsibility of the ongoing maintenance of the medians along FM 2499. The key points of the agreement are that the City will maintain all landscape elements within the limits of the right of way including all median and island areas but excluding paved areas intended for vehicular traffic.
During the City Manager Report, the HVTV Update informed residents the city is now accepting applications for appointments to boards and commissions. An application can be filled out online at highlandvillage.org and submitted to the City Secretary’s Office. Appointments are made in September. Also highlighted in the report is the July 20 Movie in the Park at Pilot Knoll Park where we will be showing Kung Fu Panda 2. The Highland Village Business Association Business Spotlight featured Kumon Learning Center in Highland Village.
Submitted by the City of Highland Village.
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