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The Crowley City Council voted Thursday to support a resolution seeking greater oversight by local municipalities of intrastate gas utilities.
The council wanted Crowley to join the list of Texas cities supporting the city of DISH’s efforts to gain more local control through a resolution addressed to the state Legislature.
City manager Truitt Gilbreath said private energy companies have the power of eminent domain, meaning they can take private property for public use. Private companies are laying pipelines in Texas cities in a way that could hamper growth, he said.
“In the country this wasn’t a problem, but in a city it is,” Gilbreath said. “We need to stop these private companies from dividing the land however they want.”
Mayor Billy Davis agreed.
“This is to try to get the legislature to give us more control,” he said.
DISH sent letters to nearby municipalities asking them to support the resolution.
DISH has had several redundant pipelines crossing its corporate limits, ruining the opportunity for economic development in the area, according to the city’s letter.
The council also set public hearings on the 2008 tax rate for 7 p.m. Sept. 4 and Sept. 18 at Crowley City Hall. The proposed rate is 57.55 cents per $100 valuation, an increase from the current rate of 55.8474 cents.
The state’s property tax code requires two public hearings because the proposed rate exceeds the current rate.
The council passed an ordinance approving rate changes based on a rate review by Atmos Energy Corp.
The rate review mechanism authorizes cities to review and dispute Atmos’ annual rate filings.
Residential rates will increase by about 81 cents per month because of the ordinance, Davis said.
Davis also announced at the meeting that City Secretary Martha Garcia is resigning, news that prompted several council members to extol Garcia’s hard work and dedication.
“I just want to thank you for everything you have done for the city,” said Councilman Jim Hirth said.
The council intends to consider obtaining a city flag at Hirth’s suggestion. He said he understands the city cannot lower the American flag to half staff every time a resident dies, but “a city flag would be a special way to honor those who’ve built the town over the years.”
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