Rusk garbage rates going up
Council okays purchase of new truck for Rusk PD
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Following a 40-minute executive session Monday evening to discuss possible litigation, the Rusk city council adopted city holidays for the new year; increased garbage rates; purchased a pickup truck for the police department; and hired an engineer for renovation of the civic center. The council met Monday instead of the regular Thursday evening because several members were scheduled to be out of town at a Texas Municipal League meeting.

The holiday list includes Christmas, Monday Wednesday, Dec. 24-26, 2007; New Year's Day, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008; Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 21, 2008; President's Day, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008; Good Friday, March 21, 2008; Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2008; Independence Day, Friday, July 4, 2008; Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, 2008; Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 13, 2008; Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008; Thanksgiving, Thursday-Friday, Nov. 27-28, 2008; and the employee's birthday.

The council approved the purchase of a fourdoor Ford pickup from Bob Francis Ford for $19,330.70. The city budgets allows for the purchase of two police vehicles. A patrol car will be purchased later.

Allied Waste Services, the city's garbage collection contractor, notified the city it will increase rates charged the city three percent. This amounts to 27 cents per customer per month. The city will increase its rates to city utility customers 30 cents per month. The rate change will appear on the January billings.

"I have contacted Henry Harris, municipal finance specialist with Texas Independent Bank, concerning the new water well," City Manager Mike Murray said.

"We are at a standstill until two protests have been dealt with," Mr. Murray continued. Two property owners near the proposed well site have filed protests with the Ground Water Conservation District claiming the new well will interfere with their private wells.

The council approved the employment of the Brannon Corporation for renovation at the civic center. The firm did the work at the swimming pool. The city has a $300,000 grant for the civic center work, which will include new restrooms and a new roof.

In his report Mr. Murray said the city can receive a grant to purchase a wood chipper. "This is a no match grant through the East Texas Council of Governments."

Attending the meeting were Mayor Angela Raiborn; Councilmembers Kris Morgan, Walter Session, Don Jones, Donald Woodard and Sam Florian; City Manager Murray; and City Secretary Fran Wendeborn.