The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 109, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 27, 1984 Page: 1 of 22
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Albany News
"Oldest Journalistic Venture West Of The Brazos"
t
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1984, ALBANY, TEXAS 76430
16 PAGES IN 2 SECTIONS
VOLUME NUMBER 109
NUMBER 15
PRICE 2M
City opens bids, raises water, sewer rates
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Albany City Council ac
cepted bids for the construction
of the new Albany Airport, raised
water and sewer rates to custom-
ers outside the city limits and
discussed implementing an em-
ployee retirement plan for city
employees at a special meeting
held Wednesday, September 19,
at City Hall.
Bids for the construction of the
airport were opened from eight
contractors, but no bid was
awarded pending approval of all
bids by the Texas Aeronautical
Commission. Mayor Wayne
Hogan explained that the bids
would have to be sent to the TAC
to verify that they meet the speci
fications of the contract and that
the bidder is acceptable to the
commission.
The council also discussed the
rates of water and sewer service
to customers who live outside the
city limits and therefore do not
pay city taxes. The rate review
was a result of recent water con
servation measurers promoted by
the city on a volunteer basis and a
concern on the part of the council
to protect water users inside the
city limits.
City Manager Liston Todd re
ported to the council that there
were a total of 1176 water meters
within the city and 145 meters
ouside the city. Todd also stated
that there were only seven com
mercial sewer connections out
side the city and 11 household
connections.
The city already has a special
individualized rate for commer
cial sewer users outside the city
limits, so only the household rates
were considered for the increase.
On a motion by Larry Shoemak
er, the council voted to double the
outside residential sewer rate
from $5 per month to $10 per
month. Currently, residents in
side the city pay $5 per month for
sewer service. The council' felt
that outside customers should be
paying more.
The minimum water rate was
then considered, hut instead of
raising the minimum, the council
voted to raise only the price per
1,000 gallons of water above 2,000
gallons. City residents currently
pay $8.20 minimum for the first
2,000 gallons of water, while out
side residents are charged $15.20.
The rate per 1,000 gallons after
the minimum is $1.65 per 1,000 for
city homes and $1.70 for those
outside the city limit.
After discussing the matter,
Dinty Bowman moved to set the
price per 1,000 gallons after the
minimum at $2.75 per 1,000, an in
crease of $1.05 per 1,000 gallons.
In town residents were not af-
fected by the increase.
The council agreed to consider
raising the cost of trash collection
for commercial users on an in
dividual basis based on quantity
at the next meeting.
Airport engineer David Todd of
Abilene was present at the meet-
ing to read the bids for the airport
project as they were opened.
The following bids were re
ceived: Jack Anglin Co., Ball
inger, $285,168.60; I'anhan
die Construction, Lubbock,
$319,026.50; Kex Carlile, Abilene,
$320,789.60; West Texas Con
struction, Abilene, $336,996.95;
Borsberry Construction, El Paso,
$345,463.20; J.H. Strain and Sons,
Tye, $366,548.20, Bontke
Brothers, Abilene, $398,515.70;
and Zack Burkett, Graham,
$455,065.05.
On a motion by Eddie Bartee,
the council also passed a resolu
tion agreeing to establish a
separate Muncipal Airport Fund
and that all fees, charges, rents,
and money from any source de-
rived from airpost operations be
deposited in the account and used
solely for the maintenance and
operation of the Albany Muni
cipal Airport.
The resolution was part of the
agreement between the city and
the TAC in order to receive grant
money for the construction of the
facility.
The airport project is being
funded jointly by the TAC, which
is providing 75 percent of the
funds, and local donations, which
are accounting for 25 percent. No
city money is being used for the
facility.
Engineer David Todd express
ed to the council his surprise in
the fact that some of the bids are
lower that the estimated con-
struction cost of $320,000. The
project should take approximate-
ly 120 working days to complete.
The council again discussed in-
itiating an employee retirement
plan, but the matter was tabled.
Bartee stated that he would
"like to see the city have a solid
budget plan before we act on the
retirement plan."
Councilman Shoemaker stated
that he felt the retirement issue
was being rushed and requested
that the council be given more
time to consider it.
"I'll be happy to come down
myself and try to prepare a
report of income and spending
trends over the past years in
order for us to see what our finan
cial situation is," said Bartee.
In response Liston Todd said
that the city's income is largely
based on the sale of water in a
given year, which is variable.
Bartee also brought the matter
of the city's contract with the
Shackelford County Supply Cor-
poration. "I think we should
notify them that we are consider-
ing renegotiating their contract."
The city is presently advertis-
ing for bids for the sale of the cur-
rent fire hall. Bid specifications
appear in the legal notice section
of this issue of the Newt. The city
plans to open bids on the building
at the next council meeting.
The council also discussed the
possible use of the approximately
65,000 gallons of water used to
"back wash" filters at the water
plant. The water is not usable as
drinking water, but Bartee sug-
gested that maybe it could be
ptimped to the water rack for use
by commercial water haulers.
Shoemaker volunteered to take a
sample of the water to be ana
lyzed to see if it is suitable for use
by water haulers. It was also sug
gested that the Albany Golf
Course could possibly use the
otherwise wasted water for water
of the course. No action was
taken.
* • r
* ZAi
Head 'em up...
Floyd McComos prods a slow-moving bull to hood him up into the Rehab truck early Monday morning at the Mc-
Comos Ranch. The*e four head woro among 2f donated by Shackelford County ranchers to benefit the West
Toxas Rehabilitation Center at the annual Cattlemen's Roundup for Crippled Children held at the Abilene Auc-
tion Monday. The local cattle brought $6,641,13 at the sale. County farmers and ranchers also made cash dona-
tions of around $16,000. [Staff Photo)
County cattlemen donate $22,650
By Donna Barranger
Floyd McComas and John Mc-
Intore, local chairmen for the Cat-
tlemen's Roundup.Jor ..Crippled
Children announced this week
that the roundup transported 29
head of cattle to the Abilene Auc-
tion, and raised approximately
$16,000 in cash donations from
Shackelford County for the West
Texas Rehabilitation Center.
The 29 head resulted in sales at
the auction of $6,641.13, according
to the office of WTKC president
and executive director Shelley
Smith. This amount, added to the
cash total of about $16,000, brings
the Shackelford County tally to
approximately $22,650. This total
does not include checks sent in by
individuals directly to the center.
however, McComas said.
This year's donation of livestock
amounting to 29 head is down
from last year's total of 64 head
taken to the auction from Shackel-
ford Count/, explained McComas.
However, the cash total and auc-
tion total for the cattle is evi-
dence of the cattlemen's commit-
ment to the cause, he said.
Overall, there were 350 head of
cattle auctioned this year in Abi
lene, as compared to the 270 head
auctioned for the center at last
year's event. According to
Smith's office, the total so far for
the roundup is $203,609, made up
of auction receipts of $142,794 and
cash donations of $60,816- The
goal for the roundup this year
was set at $208,000, but sales are
still scheduled. A Horse Sale will
be held on Saturday, October 0 st
the Abilene Auction; a Sheep and
Goal Bale on Monday, October 8
in Junction; Wednesday, October
10 in Coleman; Wednesday, No-
vember 7 Sheen and Goat Sale in
Brownwood. All sales will have a
starting time of IKK) p.m., and it is
"hoped that these sales will reach
our goal," said Smith.
He urged local supporter* to
"remember that the roundup is
not over yet. We will continue to
take donations of animals or
cash."
Any person wishing to make a
donation of any kind, cash or live-
stock, may call the WTRC at (915)
692 1633.
Fall sidewalk fair scheduled Oct. 6
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany shoppers will be treat-
ed to a large variety of food, hand-
made goods and specialty items
during the semi-annual Sidewalk
Fair set for Saturday, October 6,
beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The event, which is sponsored
each spring and fall by the Mer-
chant's Activity Committee of the
Albany Chamber of Commerce,
will also feature several drawings
for gift certificates and vkluable
door prises given away by local
participating merchants.
According to Pasty Rose,
Chamber secretary, over 80 or-
ganizations and individuals have
registered for booth space at the
fair, which will be held in the
downtown area.
"We have had a good response
for letters sent out to past partici-
pants and we are getting more En-
tries each day."
In addition to the traditional
booths that will line Main Street,
a total of 16 local merchants have
agreed to take part in the fair, of-
fering special sale items as well as
the door prizes.
As of Tuesday the following
booths were registered for the
event: five baked goods sales,
seven handicraft, wood workings,
paintings and pictures, jewelry, a
Mexican food booth, hamburger
stand, custom t-shirts and caps, a
raffle, a white elephant sale and a
funnel cake booth. A complete
listing of each booth and the items
they will carry will appear in next
week's edition of the Newt.
Persons or groups interested in
reserving a space at the fair can
contact Mrs. Rose at the Chamber
office, located la the depot buBd-
ing. or call the Chamber office at
762-2126. The deadline to register
for the lair is September 28.
Door prizes to be given away
by participating merchants in-
clude: gift certificates, a portable
radio, a watch, a video gams, two
Eureka vacuum cleaners, and a
grocery shopping spree.
(Sn Sidewalk Fair, pg. 8-A)
this week
By Mellnda Lucas
Consolidated tax statements
for 1884 will be mailed to taxpay-
ers within the Shackelford Coun-
ty Tax Appraisal District by the
end of this week,
Chief Appraiser Betty Vierto
to
according
.ppraiser Betty Viertof
The statements for the first
year will show Uses for seven of
ths eight taxing jurisdictions in
the Shackelford County diatrict,
including Shackelford County,
Shackelford County Hospital Dis-
trict, Albany Independent School
District, Moran Independent
School Diatrict, City of Albany.
City of Koran, and ths West Con
trtl Texts MunicipsI Wi ~
Clyde Independent 8ehool Dis-
trict, which will involve taxpay-
ers in the Hamby area. Thoae pro-
perty owners will receive a state-
ment from the Taylor County Ap-
praiaal Diatrict, which is handling
collection for the Clyde I8D. They
will be hilled by tbcShackelferd
County Appraiaal District for all
other agencies.
Last yc#r, taxpayers in ths
Moran ares received
ststemsnts from the Moran ISD
and City of Moran. This year,
thoss tsxes will be included with
all others on ths
statement.
28£r.S
I certified by the
relatively
expensive and it is difficult for
small jurisdictions to justify the
expense. Therefore, the Morsn
City Council snd 8chool Board de-
cided to contract with the district
to hsndls their collections rsthsr
thsn msintsining their own collec-
tion offices.
"We hope this kind of billing
ayatsm will be convenient for all
thoae who own property in 8ha«k-
-,f—J n—*- commented Mrs.
" &
elford County.'
Visrtsl. "Ths
I In turn will save the t*x
payer money in the long run.'*
Taxpayer* may corns to
Central Tax Office at 627
fttrest in Albany to j
ee, or they may mail their cheeks
to the address printed on the
statement. If paying by mail, in-
clude a stamped, self-addressed
envelope for a receipt.
The computerised statement
gives a breakdown of tsxss In
esch taxing iuriadktion, snd the
taxpayer is sbls to MS easily how
much will go to eash agency.
Taxpayers are not required to
pay the entire amount of the
liitMiiBt a! one time, althoufrb
111 taxes should bo paid by Janu-
ary 81,1988.
Mrs. Viertol explained that pro-
perty owners who wosM have dif-
'•"•'""Yisnsr
"For instance, if aa individual
has one property with county tax-
es of $122.60. hospital toxee of
$46.60, school taxes of 8888, and anr 81.1988. Alter t
■P thesis 18867
November, he eouM take case of imaMf. i
d^aythecKy
county only or county
tal (1188 total) in
the srbftol taxes and
in
toarn
jib ...
ties, he
m
«a
another property the
TW AM
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Lucas, Donnie A. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 109, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 27, 1984, newspaper, September 27, 1984; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth414667/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.