A report on recent storm damage recovery efforts and 2025 health insurance rates were among matters discussed Monday, Nov. 18 by the Cabool City Council.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS ON STORM DAMAGE
Ron Scheets, city administrator, updated the council on damage from flooding in the area on Nov. 5. Scheets reported that properties were affected, fencing around the soccer fields and dog pounds were washed out and the dog pound lift station was damaged. Additionally, South Cedar Street, below the Dairy Farmers of America treatment plant, was damaged. Work the street department completed to prepare for paving was wiped out by the flooding.
“We were fortunate though, there were no major outages,” said Scheets. “Just a few poles that needed to be worked on, or replaced.”
Clean up will be a continued effort at the city, said Scheets. “We will be working with the county to see what funding will be available through the FEMA/SEMA disaster declaration for Texas County. We are keeping track of our man hours and expenses in the event that we can recoup some of our costs.”
CITY RENEWS HEALTH INSURANCE FOR 2025
Mike Scott and Scott Rice, from Barker Phillips Jackson Insurance, discussed the city’s health insurance renewal for 2025 with the council. The quote presented for the city’s current plan included an 8.9% increase from the 2024 rate. The city received an approximately $23,000 rebate last year to offset future premium increases. The representatives recommended staying with the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan despite the increase, citing other plans as having higher rates or larger deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. The council approved the renewal unanimously. Alderman John Williams was absent from the meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
- Janet Roberts asked about the status of a property cleanup on Rogers Avenue. Scheets stated it has been posted as a nuisance and the owners have been contacted. If it is not cleaned within a specific time, the city will mow the yard and cut the weeds at the owner’s expense.
- Scheets said that an agreement with APPTEGY, a company that would provide the city with an updated website, mass notification system and mobile app, would cost about $3,000 more than the city pays for its current services.
- The electric department replaced a collector on its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system recently and will also need to purchase more transformers soon. The city recently purchased a bucket truck from the City of Houston, and will need to determine what to do with the old one.
- A Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) was submitted totaling $5,524.20 to offset the cost of outfitting a new patrol unit. It will help purchase cage partitions, light bars and sirens.
- The council did a first and second reading of an ordinance calling for the annual city election to be held April 8, 2025. The election will include a sales tax for transportation purposes for a period of five years.
The next regular meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 at city hall.
