The Houston City Council approved a 2008 budget Monday that calls for several capital outlays in the coming year, including an expansion of Thomasville Road.
The council ratified the document, the product of several weeks of work sessions, after a tentative review two weeks ago.
Among the items included in the budget is an extension of Thomasville Road to Holder Drive near First National Bank and further south with an outlet north of Orscheln Farm and Home. With engineering work complete on the project, the city is securing easements from 11 property owners.
Other projects on the drawing board include construction of a pavilion at Pinelawn Cemetery, completion of improvements at the Houston Municipal Airport made possible primarily through a MoDOT grant and continued work on the Village Trail, a walking and bicycling venue. The document also calls for a part-time slot in the police department to become full time.
Later in the year, the council will study the purchase of a bucket truck for the electrical department and the possible purchase of a used street sweeper.
The council also has given its approval to exploring an application to a MoDOT grant program that would pay for new sidewalks and crosswalks at the Houston School District campus. The city met with MoDOT representatives Tuesday in advance of completing an application.
In other matters, members:
-Approved the purchase of a new police vehicle. Honeycutt Chevrolet of Houston was the successful bidder at a price of $18,949.
-Okayed an ordinance that is aimed at reducing noise from trailer-truck units braking. The passage follows complaints from residents. Signage at each of the four entrances to the city designating the noise ordinance will soon go into place.
-Learned that a meeting was set for this week to discuss alternatives with area municipalities and others concerning instituting a recycling program currently done by the South Central Correctional Center. The facility ran a route, picking up cardboard, but is getting out of the business statewide.
-Heard from Dr. Gerald St. John concerning the need for recruitment of additional firemen.