The Whitesboro City Council moved forward with a major public safety communications upgrade, approved a new dispatch agreement with Southmayd and set a September public hearing on the city budget and property tax rate during its Aug. 11 meeting.
Council members also discussed electric rates, approved an Atmos Energy rate settlement, increased youth basketball registration fees and received updates on several city infrastructure projects.
Most notably, council approved financing for a new 800 MHz public safety radio system and dispatch communications equipment.
Fire Chief Jeff Patterson said Whitesboro’s existing communications infrastructure is outdated, with portions still operating over copper lines.
According to Patterson, the police department also continues to use a VHF channel while other agencies in Grayson and surrounding counties have transitioned to newer systems.
The project will replace equipment in the dispatch center and provide improved radio communications for public safety personnel.
Patterson said the utility department will also benefit from changes to the communications system.
The new system could be operational within about 60 days of ordering, depending on equipment availability.
After considering financing options, the council unanimously approved a seven-year municipal lease-purchase agreement.
The seven-year option would cost about $123,989 less in interest than a 10-year option, while extending financing from five to seven years would add about $72,393 in interest.
The first payment will not be due until 2027.
Council members also approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Southmayd to provide public safety dispatch and temporary holding facility services.
Under the agreement, Whitesboro will handle fire and police dispatching for Southmayd.
Patterson said Whitesboro EMS already serves much of the Southmayd fire district, and bringing dispatch operations together should simplify communications between agencies.
Southmayd will also be able to use Whitesboro’s temporary holding facility under established policies.
The council also continued preparations for the city’s 2026-27 budget and property tax rate.
City Administrator Phil Harris presented calculations received from the county showing a no-new-revenue tax rate of $0.572147 per $100 valuation and a voter-approval rate of $0.808341.
The council set a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate for 6 p.m. Sept. 8, during its regular council meeting.
Council also approved increasing the city’s youth basketball registration fee from $100 to $140 per player. The reduced scholarship rate was set at $60.
PARD Director Penny Renfroe said the increase is tied in part to fifth- and sixth-grade teams participating in NTX Hoops and will help cover upgraded uniforms and additional league costs.
Renfroe said payment plans and other assistance remain available and the department will continue working to make sure children have an opportunity to participate regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
The council took no action on a proposed agreement with Whitesboro ISD concerning public infrastructure surrounding the district’s new Early Childhood Center and agriculture building.
The agreement would ultimately address ownership and maintenance of roads constructed as part of the school projects.
Harris said the roads are expected to become public city streets and are important to improving north-south traffic flow through the area.
However, revisions have been made to the proposed agreement and attorneys for the city and school district were still reviewing the language.
The council voted to table the agreement until its September meeting to allow both sides additional time to review the changes.
In other project updates:
• The city’s new water tower is operational and supplying water to the school district.
• The city was scheduled to meet with engineers to discuss the tower and the 16-inch water line project, including a possible 8-inch connection and remaining easement issues along U.S. Highway 82.
• Phase 1 of the water line project is complete.
The meeting concluded after a lengthy executive session after which no action was taken.
Source: Freepik.com