Willow Park Press, October 2023

Willow

PARKPRESS

ROAD PROJECT UPDATE

Crown Road is complete and open to two-way traffic!

Ranch House Road is nearly complete. Roadside ditches are in progress and the last of the intersections are being poured Once the striping is complete, the road will be fully re-opened The Trinity Drive/Trinity Court/Sam Bass Court area has asphalt complete, but there are still several miscellaneous items to be checked off before the project is fully ready Work has now begun on Old Ford Road/Crested Butte Court/Ridgehaven Court/Pleasant Court, with crews milling the roads the last week of September The next phase of the project will be stabilizing the roads before laying asphalt Crews are working on driveway and street approaches on Kings Gate Road and will soon begin work on the intersection of Kings Gate and Meadow Place This could cause some traffic changes for people traveling both Meadow Place AND Kings Gate, so watch for workers and obey any posted signs Sam Bass Road will begin once Kings Gate is complete

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

Tax rate lowered, spending earmarked for roads, parks

The Willow Park City Council recently approved the operating budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which began Oct 1

The new budget, totaling just more than $42 million, makes way for a number of projects including more extensive street repairs and the creation of a Parks department

The new budget set the tax rate at $0397597 cents per $100 of value, a decrease of 2616 percent from the 2022 rate of $0538450

The decrease is due in large part to the voters of Willow Park choosing to receive their fire protection services from Parker County Emergency Services District 1 While taxpayers will see a new tax on their bill for the ESD, the decrease from the Willow Park rate is enough to offset the ESD rate and still see a net savings for Willow Park residents and businesses "Were very excited to pass savings on to citizens of Willow Park," Place 1 Council Member Eric Contreras said "Every dollar counts in a family budget"

COMMUNICATIONS CORNER What IS SeeClickFix?

You know that moment when you’re driving down the road and see a pothole or some trees that have grown into the street? And you think “I really wish someone would do something there?”

We have an app for that!

SeeClickFix is both an app AND a website You can download it from the Google Play Store, the Apple Store, or simply visit seeclickfixcom It’s easy to set up a FREE account, and you can report potholes, tree limbs, and any other issues you see around the city

The reports go directly to the right person on the city staff and you can watch the progress of your request in real time through the app.

SeeClickFix can also be used to access the city’s social media channels and website, call us, pay your utility bills, and links to the Sensus analytics app to monitor your water usage It’s basically a one-stop shop for all things Willow Park

Having trouble with creating an account or using the app? You can email us at info@willowparkorg for more help!

NOTICE OF RATE INCREASE

Wastewater customers to see change on October bill

Beginning with the October billing cycle, some utility rates will change on your monthly bill. The City of Willow Park has not increased wastewater rates since 2017, and customers will see an increase in their wastewater charges beginning on their October statements

• The monthly base rate for Wastewater will increase to $24.80 for single-family residential and $3174 for commercial accounts

• The volumetric charge per 1,000 gallons will increase to $639 for single-family residential and $818 for commercial accounts

• Multi-family housing residents could see an increase in their bill, depending on their property management, as rates have increased for multi-family properties

METER TAMPERING: the penalties for meter tampering have changed

• 1st offense - $500 fee plus the cost of replacement equipment

• 2nd offense - $750 fee plus the cost of replacement equipment

• 3rd offense - $1000 fee plus the cost of replacement equipment

The City will also terminate your service upon a third meter tampering offense.

Any questions can be directed to the Utility Billing Department at 817-441-7108x102 or utilitybilling@willowparkorg

MAYOR’S COUNCIL OF PARKER COUNTY ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE Benefitting Parker County Center of Hope

The month of October marks the annual Mayor’s Council of Parker County Food Drive, which benefits the Parker County Center of Hope All month we will be promoting locations where you can pick up a bag, fill it, and drop it back off to go to Parker County families this holiday season

The goal is to fill 3,500 bags this year and reach more families than ever! Needed it chicken, tuna, beans), canned vegetables, canned soups, peanut butter, jelly, ramen no Center of Hope Chief Executive Office Staci Markwardt said the Center is averag receiving services

“The need is great for sure,” said Markwardt “This food drive is a life saver” Drop off locations include Moss Insurance Group (705 FM 1187) from 9 AM - 4 PM (1318 Clear Lake Rd, Weatherford) from 8 AM - 3 PM

Monday-Friday

TOGETHER WE REMEMBER: A 9/11 event

The Shops at Willow Park and the City partnered to honor the victims of September 11, 2001, with a ceremony at The Shops The event featured music from local artists and a skydiving finale from Ret Sgt Dana Bowman, a Willow Park resident Thank you to The Shops, Stars and Strides Therapeutic Stables, Sgt. Bowman, and Parker County Emergency Services District 1, who all participated in the remembrance

National Night Out 2023

Thank you to our sponsors, Railhead Realty and the East Parker County Chamber of Commerce! We had a wonderful time visiting with new and old friends and we plan to make next year ’ s event even bigger and better!