Meysembourg gives bond-funded projects update

By Mollie LaSalle
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WOODVILLE – Woodville City Council met Monday evening and got right down to business, with a full plate of items on the agenda.

Mayor Amy Bythewood got started by issuing a proclamation to the American Red Cross, designating March as American Red Cross Month. John and Annette Stagg, with the local chapter, were on hand to receive the proclamation.

Bythewood then issued a posthumous award to honor the memory of “former citizen, council member and all-around great guy Herbert Branch.”

Bythewood added “Woodville has lost a close friend; the community has lost an incomparable leader and the world has lost a genuine community servant. His unwavering commitment to the citizens of Woodville, his leadership and devotion enriched our community in immeasurable ways.”

Retired municipal city judge Judith Haney was appointed the temporary municipal judge at the meeting; Sergio Ramos was appointed to take her place, the city needed a back-up, and Haney accepted the position.

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Woodville ISD superintendent Lisa Meysembourg presented an update to the district’s planned expansion to include a new elementary campus, and new addition to the CTE building at the high school.

A timeline was presented for things to move forward: February and March, design and plans competed, April and May, out of bids, May and June, break ground for new elementary and new CTE addition. Summer of 2024, CTE/VOC shops renovated, and finally, Spring of 2025, new elementary school completed.

Richard Rudel, with Alexander, Lankford, and Heirs, Inc. presented his audit report for FY 2021-22, and after reviewing pages of financials, presented the city with an “unmodified opinion”, which is the highest grade a city can receive.

Council appointed alderman Cliff Wright to be the city’s representative to the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce.

“The city owns the Chamber building, and needs a seat at the table”, per mayor Bythewood.

City Administrator Mandy Risinger spoke to council about considering the approval for extending sewer services to the west end of town, specifically the baseball fields, the airport, and the rodeo arena. These facilities currently rely on port-a-potties when there are events; expanding sewer service would improve the quality and betterment of life, and improved facilities would benefit the city. “ The main thing right now would be the impact on the waste water treatment plant”, Risinger added. She asked council to collect data and info on what the cost would be at this point in time, adding that she had gotten estimates of anywhere between $7,500-$10,000. Council agreed to look into the matter in the months to come.

Council approved a resolution approving the submission of the grant application for the Rifle Resistant Body Armor Grant to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, and approved No Response to the 2023 Consumer Price Index Adjustment to Municipal Telecommunications Right-of-Way Access.