From the councilman's chambers:

 The council approved funding from the Corporation for Economic Development (4A) and the Midlothian Community Development Corporation (4B) to assist in a community wide marketing effort by the Development Incentives Group and representatives from the 4A, 4B, the Chamber of Commerce, local industry, MISD and other interested parties.

The purpose of the marketing campaign is to entice builders and developers to return to the Midlothian area.  City council approved suspension of impact fees for builders and developers, with a vote of 6-1 (Mayor opposed) during the council meeting on January 12, 2010. 

This new program will eliminate impact fees for twelve months.  The goal is to increase selective residential construction, which will increase sales tax, ad valorem tax, franchise tax and other permit fees.  Click here for more info.

From the councilman's chambers:

This was the third and final discussion on the Governance policy. The first workshop occurred at the council meeting on January 26, 2010, under item 2010-30.  The second workshop, February 9, 2010, under item 2010-40.

There was considerable council debate, discussion and disagreements on many parts of the Governance policy during the last two workshops, but council members were able to work together and find a middle ground for acceptance.

I believe the newly adopted policy is more appropriate with “Today’s” council responsibilities than the first policy, which was adopted twelve years ago. The new policy will allow council to review annually and amend the policy based upon changes in administration and responsibilities.

All council members signed the new “Model of Excellence,” defining the Governance policy.  See the Model of Excellence attached.

From the councilman's chambers:

This was the second “Workshop” to review and discuss the Governance policy.  The first workshop occurred at the council meeting on January 26, 2010.  (See the January 26, 2010, item 2008-30 for further information).

The council debated, discussed and disagreed on many parts of the Governance policy.  My belief, as well as several other council members, is that the policy mandates too much authority to the Mayor controlling boards, commissions, subcommittees and how council members represent the citizens of Midlothian.

After approximately three hours of debate and discussion, I believe we may have come to an agreement on mayor and council members’ responsibilities.  City staff will review and draft the new Governance policy for council review and present the policy at the next council meeting for February 23, 2010. 

Council members will review the new amended Governance policy, and if all the needed changes are present in the policy, then I feel confident the policy will be signed.

From the councilman's chambers:

This item pertains to the Parks board increasing the volunteer citizen membership from seven to nine members and increasing the term served from two years to three years.

I’m not opposed to increasing membership for the Park’s board.  This will bring more ideas to the table on improving our parks and recreation areas.  I am opposed to increasing the term limit served.

The Parks board is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council concerning improvements and management in its respective area of interest.

The majority of all other Boards and Commissions, volunteer citizen serves a two year term.  The reason for the two year term is to permit other citizens who are interested in serving on the Boards and Commissions an opportunity to participate in the process as outlined above. 

I felt increasing the two year term to three years would discourage citizens from wanting to apply.  I further believe there should be term limits on Boards and Commissions.  This would allow more interaction with citizens bringing new ideas to our community.

From the councilman's chambers:

The purpose of this Workshop was to review the current “Policy on Governance Process” and “Code of Ethics” for Council Members and citizens serving on City Boards and Commissions.

The workshop drew considerable debate and discussion from council members and several citizens regarding the rules of the policy.  The question:  "Is the policy mandated by State law, or is the policy a city document that council members are required to sign and abide by?"  According to the City Attorney, Mr. Don Stout, there is no state law mandating elected officials to sign a city drafted policy on “Governance Process.”  Elected officials are governed under state law and the people who elect them to office.

Visit the CFARG website for additional comments during the debate and discussion.

The current Governance policy, established in 1998, was designed primarily to limit and/or restrict council member’s involvement in city affairs that may involve speaking and/or associating with someone who may have an adverse effect on the disposition of a city issue.

The current city council members all have some form of business and/or professional background.  I'm confident that council members who are elected to office will have the knowledge of knowing the legal aspects of their council position, and will not place the city in an uncompromising position.

I further believe there may be a legal concern by encouraging or requiring elected council members to sign this policy. This policy may violate the First Amendment of the Constitution of free speech and association.

If the majority of the city council decides to amend, delete, add or re-write the Governance policy, I will review and decide if this policy is in the best interest of serving the people who elected me to this position.

From the councilman's chambers:

The Midlothian Police Department vehicle fleet has increased by two additional units.   These vehicles represent a portion of the assets forfeited by defendants of a criminal conspiracy, after being identified and proven to be illegally obtained by defendants.

From the councilman's chambers:

The item was presented to council on December 8, 2009.  I made a motion, which passed 6-0, to table the item until the January council meeting, to allow additional time to review and learn more about the organization.

There were many questions by council members regarding the actual purpose of the organization and whether or not it would it benefit Midlothian to join as a non-voting member for a $1000 membership fee.

I studied the material presented to council members about the organization and it’s members and leaders.  The organization was created in 1986.  According to the promotional material presented to the Midlothian city council, “The Best Southwest Partnership is a cooperative effort among the communities of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville and Lancaster, Texas, to promote economic, legislative and educational well-being for Southwest Dallas County.”

The agenda item was re-addressed by the city council on January 12, 2010.  Honorable Wade Emmert, City Councilman, Cedar Hill, gave the presentation.

It is my assessment that the City of Midlothian and/or Ellis County would not benefit from this organization. The organization and its leaders were designed to promote cities within Dallas County for their benefit, not Midlothian and/or Ellis County. The Midlothian membership would be a non-voting membership with NO official input on decisions made by this organization.

The City of Midlothian is structured with it’s own economic development boards.  We have the Corporation of Economic Development (4A), Midlothian Community Development Corporation (4B), Midlothian Development Authority and the Midlothian Chamber of Commerce.

The motion to join passed 5-2.  More of your tax dollars being wasted.  Click here for more info.

From the councilman's chambers:

Good News!

Council has approved construction to re-open the 287 by-pass exit to Main Street (Business 287).  This will allow traffic travelling west bound on 287 toward Mansfield to exit onto Main Street, without exiting onto Midlothian Parkway.

This has been an on-going issue for our local businesses after TXDOT closed the exit ramp during the construction of the 287 by-pass.  It is my opinion that our local businesses have been affected economically by the closure of the exit ramp.  Construction should start right away.

Funding for this project is available through Bond Fund 116 saving and interest earned, roadway impact fees collected and a small remaining balance from Bond Fund 120.

From the councilman's chambers:

The City of Midlothian has lost considerable revenue from home development, due to the economy and the cost of building.  Many developers have left the Midlothian area to build elsewhere because of the cost of building fees in our City.  Some city officials will disagree with this statement, but just ask any home builder or developer why they are not building in Midlothian.

The city council approved to establish a subcommittee to address this issue and consult with the building and lending industry, and create an incentive program to have builders return to Midlothian. 

After multiple meetings with city officials, bankers, financial lenders, builders and developers, a financial incentive program was created.  The majority of the council (Mayor Whatley opposed) agreed to waive impact fees for builders for twelve months with several stipulations.  The total discount will not exceed $738,416 for the program.  Council will review the program after nine months to determine its effectiveness.  When the program reaches $400K, council will perform a second review and city staff will review the program on a monthly basis. The purpose of this program is to stimulate development of residential housing on existing available lots.

Builder impact fees annually are approximately $750K toward city income.  This money is used for infrastructure.  The loss of this income will result in using funds from other sources.  Currently, the annual projected impact fees are well below 50% for new housing construction.  This new program will eliminate impact fees for twelve months and hopefully attract the builders and developers to return to Midlothian.   The city will promote a media campaign informing builders and developers of the changes.  The goal here is to increase selective residential construction, which will increase sales tax, ad valorem tax, franchise tax and other permit fees.  Click here for more info.

My personal goal is for Midlothian to reduce or eliminate ad valorem tax (property tax) through other sources of income.  See “Future Plans.”