Infrastructure repairs among city’s top priorities in 2015

Last year was a challenging, yet exciting year the City of Wills Point. The drought in the beginning of the year created many problems for the aging infrastructure, most especially to the water system. 

Many behind the scenes activities took place outside the public eye.  Each project was desperately needed. The water plant control systems were updated, the high service pump was rebuilt, and the vault for the pump at Lake Tawakoni was replaced as the city worked with TCEQ to meet their mandated requirements.

The drought was soon replaced by not only one, but two “100-year” rain events, causing flash flooding. Additionally, a high volume of water and sewer line repairs have been necessary as water logged ground continues to shift. 

Pam Pearson, City Administrator stated, “Roads continue to be a major issue. Extremely wet weather has had a severe impact on the roads. The continual rainfall we have experienced this year has made it all but impossible to undertake road repairs. Patching has been a priority for the city in the interim. The delicate balance this year has been personnel utilization for roads while the same crews are also responsible for water and sewer main repairs which skyrocketed this year as well. As we look to the future, roads will be a priority and we have set aside funds to begin the reconstruction of a number of main arteries. Companies that perform these duties are all behind on their current schedules due to the weather and the logistics are going to be crucial for us to manage.” 

The construction for the Ash Lane railroad crossing was awarded to Texana Land and Asphalt, Inc. in February. After almost 12 months of wrangling and pushing, the city is truly happy to announce that the railroad crossing will soon be back open for public use.  Union Pacific approved the Right of Entry in early December for reconstruction to begin.

The city sold a small strip of property to Oncor Electric Delivery so they would have adequate property to totally rebuild the recently completed state of the art substation on S. 3rd St. This substation gives Oncor more switching options during critical times and plenty of capacity for future load and growth.

Public/Private Partnerships were utilized in 2015, beginning with the groundbreaking of an EMS facility on Hwy. 80 east to house a Champion EMS ambulance, which plans to begin utilizing this facility January 1, 2016. 

The city was also instrumental in the acquisition of a future McDonalds on Highway 80.  This addition to our business portfolio necessitated the closure of a street and alley, and the relocation of Wills Point Ford. The dealership has city approval to be housed in temporary facilities while they plan construction of a new facility.

With heightened awareness of employee protection and citizens with disabilities, the front of the city office was remodeled to restrict the public’s access to offices and comply with ADA requirements.

The city saw one police chief resign and another appointed, an interim city administrator named and then named as the full-time city administrator, hired a public works director, and had long time employees retire.

Mayor Mark Turner stated, “We have spent a great deal of time on processes and procedures to insure that we are operating the most efficient and effective manner possible to maximize each tax dollar. I believe we have a team of dedicated employees and look forward to seeing the great improvements they can accomplish for our community in 2016.”