Devine City Council Meetings – Page 2

Devine tackles challenging water system upgrades

On March 19th, 2024, the Devine City Council approved a $2.5-million-dollar Certificate of Obligation to build a new $750K ground water storage tank. After further consultation it was decided to refurbish the existing 500k ground water storage tank, by replacing the roof, pressure washing, sand blasting and painting the tank.
Taking the time to rehab the existing tank rather than spending $2.5 million on a replacement, will allow the City to make much more progress and upgrades to water infastructure in Devine.
However, City administrator Jordan noted, “Due to their not being any concrete drawings of the existing infrastructure, the process to get this project started has been challenging…Our Public Works crews worked tirelessly using the hydro-vac machine to locate and expose all existing pipes, valves and connections entering the Warhorse ground water storage tank site.”
“This process has allowed the city to install inserta-valves and isolate the ground water storage tank and bypass into the elevated storage tank.”
The new system will now allow better control of water pressure with cut-off valves.
All city water will be redirected and flowed through the other water tower near the golf course for approximately four weeks until the tank and pumphouse project below the Warhorse tower is complete.
“The city has consulted with its engineers and tank specialist to identify any concerns. Our goal is taking all necessary precautions to avoid any interruption in water service to the community during this rehabilitation process.
The expected completion for this rehab project is at the end of June 2025.

City of Devine invites you to public hearing on Water & Sewer Rate Increases

“Another increase” to hit in fall

The Devine City Council will host a Public Hearing to discuss “Water & Sewer Rate Increases”. They want to hear from the citizens and update the citizens on their options and plans.
They will hold a public hearing on this matter on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. George S. Woods Community Center, 200 E. Hondo Avenue in Devine, and precede the regular monthly meeting.
“At a public hearing people are able to talk and the council and I too. We can have conversations,” said David Jordan, City of Devine Administrator.

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City authorizes $11.5 million in obligations to secure grants to replace lead water lines

By Anton Riecher
In other action, the Devine City Council voted to adopt ordinances authorizing the issuance of certificates of obligations covering the city’s application for $11.5 million in low interest loans through the Texas Water Development Board for federally mandated replacement of lead water service lines.
“Tonight’s action is selling those certificates of obligation and locking in the interest rates and proceeding closer to the bond closing next month for these loans and securing the grants,” said Andrew Friedman of SAMCO Capital, financial adviser to the city.
Also, the council named City Administrator David Jordan to represent the city as a director on the Medina County Regional Water Alliance. The alliance is seeking to create a 50,000 acre-foot freshwater storage and recovery project in the brackish Trinity aquifer using water saved over time from the Edwards aquifer.
Incoming District 5 alderman Hal Lance Jr., who replaces Randall in May, will serve as alternate on the alliance board of directors.

Devine council tables action on code enforcement contract, citing DVF&R controversy

By Anton Riecher
Action on continuing a contract with Devine Volunteer Fire & Rescue to handle code enforcement for the city of Devine was tabled by the city council at its March 18 meeting after questions from council members about recent DVF&R legal controversies.
The council voted 3-2 on a motion by District 1 Alderman Ray Gonzales to table action on the continuation, with District 3 Alderman Jeff Miller and District 5 Alderwoman Debbie Randall opposing.
Mayor Butch Cook said he had hoped for a vote of confidence for the DVF&R in support of the code enforcement contract.
“My position on it is we are not doing business with an individual, we’re doing business with an organization,” he said.
Presenting the measure for consideration, City Administrator David Jordan explained that the city has a special services agreement with DVF&R to handle local code enforcement.
“Most of you are aware there has been a transition in fire department personnel,” Jordan said. “I met with the new interim leadership, interim chief Jessica Martinez, and the president of the fire department board as well as the president of the ESD (emergency services district) board.
“The fire department desires to continue with the code enforcement contract,” he said…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinewsmembers.com. You will get INSTANT online access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

City authorizes $11.5 million in obligations to secure grants to replace lead water lines

Continue reading “City authorizes $11.5 million in obligations to secure grants to replace lead water lines”

Devine releases Confidential Report on golf course

All members of the City of Devine Council (with the exception of Debbie Randall) voted to release details of a confidential report given to the city council back in 2019 by City Attorney Tom Cate who was hired to provide facts and give his professional opinion on the possible Golf Course management agreement with Scott and Shirl Grego. His recommendation of “Do not enter into the proposed golf course management with Scott and Shirl Grego…they do not have the qualifications needed to make the golf course a viable financial project” was ignored by the sitting council who voted 2-2 to give it to the Gregos, with Mayor Cory Thompson throwing the tie breaker vote to 3-2. It was a Debbie Randall- Jennifer Schott motion on November 21, 2019 to give SG Golf Management the contract. David Espinosa and Steve Lopez voted against it. At the time the District 1 seat was vacant.

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Local city/school ELECTIONS…Feb 14 filing deadline

City of Lytle council ballot

Filing ends at 5:00 pm on February 14, 2025 at the City of Lytle office, 14916 Main St. Positions expiring May 1 are: Districts 1, 2 and 3 currently being held by Aldermen Aguirre (1), Hughes (2) and Emery (3).
Filings so far for a place on the ballot are Richard Hughes for District 2 and David Emery for District 3, as of Tuesday morning, Feb. 4. The City of Lytle operates with a Mayor-Council form of government. The council consists of five Aldermen that each serve a single member district.
The City Council’s primary duty is policy making. The council identifies the needs of the city’s residents and provides programs to meet the changing requirements of the community and measure the effectiveness of ongoing services in the city. See qualifications for becoming a Council member at lytletx.org. Currently serving are : Ruben Gonzalez-Mayor; Miguel Aguirre-Alderman, District 1; Richard Hughes-Alderman, District 2; David Emery-Alderman, District 3; Michael Rodriguez- Alderman, District 4; and Matthew Martinez- Alderman, District 5.

Nine more days to file for City of Devine council
February 14 deadline
The City of Devine will be calling for a mayoral and city alderman election to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Positions currently held by Butch Cook, Mayor and Michael Hernandez (District 2) and Debbie Randall (District 5) are expiring.
Filing so far are: Butch Cook for Mayor, Hal Lance, Jr. for District 5 and Michael Hernandez for District 2. Deadline to file for a position is Friday, February 14th by 5:00 p.m. at city hall.
All voters can vote in the mayoral election. You have to live in the district you want to run for. And you must live in the district to vote on a district race.

Feb. 14 deadline to file for Devine ISD trustee election
Devine ISD will be calling for a school board election for District 2 and the two At-Large positions to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Positions currently held by Carl Brown (District 2), Renee Frieda (At-Large) and Chris Davis (At-Large) are expiring. So far only Chris Davis has filed for election, At-Large position, and Carl Brown (District 2).
Deadline to file for a position is Friday, February 14th by 5:00 p.m. at the Superintendent’s Office.

Feb. 14th deadline to file for City of Devine council

Feb. 14th deadline to file for City of Devine council election for District 2 and 4

The City of Devine will be calling for a city alderman election to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Positions currently held by Michael Hernandez (District 2) and Debbie Randall (District 5) are expiring, as well as the Mayor’s seat and Mayor Butch Cook expressed his intent to re-file this week.
Deadline to file for a position is Friday, February 14th by 5:00 p.m. at city hall.
Combined elections-Devine ISD will hold election jointly with the City of Devine and all costs will be shared. If the City of Devine cancels their election, the district will contract with Medina County to hold the election.

Water, sewer analysis puts Devine utility half a million in the red within five years

By Anton Riecher
Without appropriate water rate increases the city of Devine could find itself nearly half a million dollars short in covering expenses within the next five years, according to a utility rate analysis prepared by a non-profit consulting group.
The analysis prepared by Community Unlimited, a national organization that provides technical assistance at no cost to rural communities shows that very little growth in water sales is anticipated in the near future.
“Unless I missed something you don’t have too many new customers,” Community Unlimited regional coordinator Raul Gonzales reported to the Devine City Council on Dec. 10. “So that doesn’t help.”
The city council took action to help resolve the issue in November, approving a water rate increase ranging from 21.5 percent for low-end residential customers to 38.8 percent for high-end commercial users effective January 1.
That increase is only part one of a two-step plan that would see the lowest level water rate increase 18.14 percent by October 2025 as required to obtain $11.5 million in state financing to cover the mandated replacement of lead water lines serving local homes.
Mayor Butch Cook prefaced Gonzalez’ report with….

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Devine Water Rate Hike Approved

The water rate hike was approved by Devine council to qualify for state funding.

By a 4-1 vote, the Devine City Council approved a water rate increase ranging from 21.5 percent for low-end residential customers to 38.8 percent for high-end commercial users, effective January 1 as a first move in putting the utility back on a paying basis.
Mayor Butch Cook said that in his 18 months in office he has heard more complaints about the proposed rate increase than any other action by the city council during that period.
“It’s a balancing act from hell,” he said.
District 4 Council Member Josh Ritchey was alone in opposing the motion of the water rate proposed, he approved of the sewer rate. Throughout the meeting, Richey expressed his concerns that the rates should be even more than the current motions to fulfill the financial obligations.
The motions were taken during a special session held Nov. 7.
Council approved a 37.1 percent increase in the city sewer rate.
Council approved a 21.5 residential to 38.8 percent increase for high-end commercial users in the water rates.
The water rate increase is part one of a two-step plan that would see the lowest level water rate increase 38.14 percent by October 2025 to move forward with obtaining $11.5 million in financing from the state to cover the mandated replacement of lead water lines serving Devine homes.

“If the city does not put the water utility back on a financially solvent basis it will not qualify for that financing,” Cook said.
“The state is offering a pool of money,” he said. “If we don’t qualify, we’re not going to get it. We’ll be on our own facing the same mandate that everyone else is facing, which is substantial.”
For low-end residential customers equipped with three-quarter inch water meters, the monthly water bill will jump from the current $38.14 to $47.33 in January. If the council proceeds with the second step in the rate increase, that monthly bill will jump to $56.52 next October.
At least 827 customers out of the 1,700 accounts served by the water utility receive the lowest rate of service.
The rate varies based on the size of the meter and the tier of service the customer receives. The lowest tier, ranging from 1,000 gallons to 5,000 gallons monthly, pays an additional fee of $5.50/per thousand gallons.
Commercial customers ( currently there is only one- Walmart) served by 8-inch meters will see a rate increase in January from $911.64 a month to $1,351.05 a month.

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Story by Anton Riecher