New city paving plan begins to take shape

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen last week set the goal of paving as many as 50 city blocks in a $1.1 million project that could be accomplished this year.

“This is a workable plan that we can all live with,” Alderman Michael Tibbets said during the February 8 meeting.

The plan would take money the city has on hand in its improvement fund, borrow an additional $800,000 through tax anticipation notes, and pay the project off in seven years utilizing only fee increases that have already been enacted by the board.

Between 40 and 50 blocks would be paved and curbed, and several already-paved streets would be receive seal coats to prevent them from deteriorating.

Aldermen reacted with joy as they settled on a plan after months of discussions.

“How about that?” Mayor Tex Selvidge said. “We made a decision!”

“Let’s all get on the table and go ‘Yea! Yea! Yea!’” Alderman Janice Knorpp said.

Issuance of the tax notes would be handled by the Lubbock based First Southwest Company whose vice president, Vince Viaille, attended Tuesday’s meeting and presented the aldermen with a proposed debt schedule.

“Tax notes have no publication procedures to follow, and there’s no petition procedures,” Viaille said. “I propose that we go to local banks to issue the notes at 3.5 percent interest or less, and there would be a cost of issuance in the amount of $15,000 to $20,000.”

Viaille said tax notes in the amount of $800,000 could be repaid in seven years with an annual debt service of approximately $132,000.

City officials reacted positively to Viaille’s presentation.

“I think this is the best possible plan we’re going to come up with,” Mayor Tex Selvidge said.

Aldermen directed Viaille to return to the board’s February 22 meeting and bring with him all the necessary forms the city would need to start the process of issuing tax notes. 

The board reviewed maps with city engineer Che Shadle and prioritized streets to be paved. Shadle will work up a plan that fits within the allocated budget.

In other city business, Mayor Selvidge ordered an election to be held May 7 for the purpose of electing a mayor and two aldermen. City Secretary Linda Smith will serve as election clerk, and City Clerk LeAnn Marcum will be deputy clerk.

The second and final reading was held for Ordinance 354, which amends the Livestock Ordinance to cover poultry. Master bantam exhibitor Allen Estlack addressed the board and lodged a complaint about the $20 annual fee the ordinance imposes.

“We will, of course, comply with the ordinance, but I wonder what I’m getting for my $20,” Estlack said, noting that the state inspects his chickens for diseases annually for free.

Alderman Tibbets said the city had to have equal protection for all types of livestock owners, and Estlack said he thinks the ordinance is overkill.

“It was overkill on the horses, too,” Tibbets said, “but I don’t want to reopen that can of worms.”

“The alternative is that no one can have any animals in the city limits,” Alderman Knorpp said.

The board approved Ordinance 354.

Aldermen also approved a motion designating that money raised from the three-cent per $100 valuation tax increase passed last year will be used for street improvements. This had been the intention of the board at the time, but they had never formally voted on the matter.