City Council Briefs

City department heads delivered their monthly reports at the March 24 Olney City Council meeting, highlighting a busy month of maintenance, public safety activity, and continued financial stability.

Public Works Director Michael Jacoba shared that his crews had been hard at work in February and early March, patching more than 400 potholes across the city and completing 134 work orders — 32 related to streets and 102 for water and sewer maintenance.

Mr. Jacoba reported that crews responded to 15 water leaks and treated more than 7.5 million gallons of wastewater during the month. The department also tested 12 water meters, replaced four, and completed flow tests on five fire hydrants. The number of active meters was 1,616.

Additionally, they picked up 10 loads of debris, including nine loads of tree limbs, and serviced numerous polycarts throughout the city. The lake level was 1,137 feet or 78 percent, at the end of March, he said.

Mr. Jacoba also gave an update on the city’s spring Clean-Up Week, which he described as a success. Crews filled 16 containers with debris and tree limbs collected from residents, and the city’s dump site was kept open and free to the public throughout the week. Mr. Jacoba noted that the clean-up was well-received and suggested the City consider holding a second clean-up event in the fall.

Mayor Rue Rogers praised the Public Works crew for their efforts. “I went out there a few times, and there was always a line [at the Olney Convenience Station],” he said. “Tell your guys and gals ‘well done,’ because I know there’s a lot of limbs and a lot of stuff on the streets to go pick up.”

City Secretary Tammy Hourigan reported that the city’s building department issued 22 permits and processed seven contractor registrations in February. Building inspector Bob Carroll completed 11 inspections, while Fire Marshal Kurt Harris conducted three fire inspections.

On the financial front, Hourigan said she had not prepared an income and expense report for the meeting due to workload demands but noted that the city’s investments continue to perform well. The city’s general fund and Texas CLASS accounts are earning interest at approximately 4.5 percent, and the city’s revenue bond fund is valued at $14.07 million.

City Council Names Cemetery Association The Olney City Council approved the members of the Olney Cemetery Association at their March 24 meeting.

The members are: Sanford Heard, chairman; Dale Lovett, secretary- treasurer; Kathy Gilmore; Gay Lynn McClelland; Jan Hobson; Phyllis Whitsitt and Kathy Whitsitt.