Granite Shoals City Council

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. . . .

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

With the current waste services contract expiration looming, Granite Shoals City Council opted to accept a contract offer with a pricing increase from Waste Management due to the lack of alternative options.

Council Member Todd Holland said the city gambled with their request for proposals (RFP) earlier in the year and is now seeing the results of the gamble.

“We have no leverage,” he said. “[Waste Management is] the only one who came back and said 'we'll haul your trash off.' We don't have the upper hand here.”

By Nathan Hendrix

Staff Writer

The Granite Shoals City Council approved $280,000 in debt in the form of a tax note to purchase heavy equipment needed for street work and other city projects.

At the Aug. 27 regular council meeting, financial advisors presented the lowest bid among the five bids that were returned on specifications sent to approximately 30 private banks throughout Texas.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

The City of Granite Shoals will ask voters to approve a $7 million bond package for water system improvements on Tuesday, Nov. 5, after City Council members adopted an ordinance calling for an election at their Aug. 13 meeting at City Hall.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

A majority of Granite Shoals City Council members balked Tuesday night at the idea of charging residents a fee to launch their boats from city-owned boat ramps.

The council instead directed City Manager Jeff Looney to redraft a proposed ordinance to remove any reference to charging residents boat launch fees and to make several “technical corrections” before bringing the ordinance back to the council in a “simpler” form for passage at their Aug. 27 meeting.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Granite Shoals City Council proposed a “not to exceed” tax rate of 60.5 cents per $100 valuation for 2019 at their regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 13.

The tax rate proposed Tuesday by the council includes 35.15 cents for maintenance and operations and 25.35 cents for interest and sinking (debt service) to fund an anticipated $7.29 million expense budget, Mayor Carl Brugger said.

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Discussion concerning the clarification of the role of Granite Shoals City Council members serving as liaisons to city boards and committees evolved into a broader debate on July 23 about the necessity of the position at all.

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Granite Shoals City Council shifted gears on a proposed solution to an influx of speeding motorists after rejecting a presentation for purchase of high-tech speed monitoring devices to be installed on main thoroughfares.

From staff reports

The City of Granite Shoals is calling for sealed proposals for residential, commericial and industrial solid waste collection and disposal.

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The City of Granite Shoals is considering the implementation of a boat launching fee, assessed to both residents and visitors, to counter rising costs of ramp maintenance.