City of Granite Shoals

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

In light of national events, Granite Shoals Police Chief Gary Boshears provided a public overview of the department's use of force policy to inform citizens how officers are expected to handle public interactions.

“We have ongoing conversations about current events,” Boshears told the council at the June 9 regular meeting held via video teleconference. … Email nathan@highlandernews.com.

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Granite Shoals council members appointed Libby Edwards to the city council to replace Todd Holland, who resigned on April 21 after moving outside of the city.

The council interviewed four applicants for the vacant seat at a special meeting on May 19 held via video teleconference. In accordance with the city charter, the council must appoint a replacement to a vacated place within 30 days. …

As the re-opening unfolds, he and his staff are relying on cooperation from members as well. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

After setbacks for the city of Granite Shoals' plans to purchase land for a new water tower, the council floated the idea of securing desired plots using eminent domain.

Councilman Terry Scott asked at the Tuesday, May 5 special called council meeting if the municipality could exercise their ability outlined in the Texas Constitution to compel landowners to sell private property located next to the existing water tower. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Granite Shoals city leaders set their sights on qualified candidates to fill the empty seat left by one councilman's resignation.

Councilman Todd Holland submitted his letter of resignation on April 21 to be effective immediately due to the sale of his Granite Shoals home and subsequent relocation outside of the city limits. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The Granite Shoals City Council voted unanimously to extend the city's declaration of emergency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic until at least Sept. 30 with the option of rescinding the order at any time.

Council members debated an appropriate date for the extension at a special called meeting on April 21 held via video teleconference. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Granite Shoals residents will see an 8.3 percent increase in their garbage collection bill starting on Feb. 1 due to a new contract and fee structure with Waste Management.

To coincide with increased costs to the city, the city council approved changes on Jan. 28 to the city code to increase monthly charges from $20.33 to $22.03 per household. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The Granite Shoals City Council approved an ordinance Jan. 14 to prohibit automated and unsupervised deer feeders within the city limits in an effort to stem the population of deer in municipal areas.

The ordinance was first discussed in a December 2019 council meeting with suggested changes that were eventually approved in the final version. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The city of Granite Shoals rejected consideration for bulk dumpsters and roadside debris pick up for residents during the drawdown of Lake LBJ scheduled for early 2020 due to costly past experiences.

City Manager Jeff Looney made the announcement at the regular council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 following the Lower Colorado River Authority's decision to lower Lake LBJ and Inks Lake for a period of eight weeks – Jan. 2 to Feb. 28, 2020 – upon request by officials and property owners. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The Granite Shoals City Council asked city staff to research details related to adding a “business fee” for profit-based associations utilizing the city's boat launch facilities.

City Manager Jeff Looney presented the option to the council at the Nov. 12 regular meeting to charge fishing tournament associations and other groups a flat fee for large-scale usage.

He said tournament groups profit from their events by using municipal facilities, but the city has to exercise caution to avoid driving interest away. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The residents of Granite Shoals voted against two of the 29 proposed amendments to the city charter in the Nov. 5 special election.

Citizens rejected Proposition C adding eminent domain language to the charter and Proposition R – which changed the reasons and reporting for independent audits.

The rejection of Proposition C does not remove eminent domain power from the city but keeps the language out of the charter. City Attorney Josh Katz said in an August council meeting the city retains eminent domain powers under state law, but the changes were being suggested to the charter to define and clarify those powers. . . .