Council approves budget

With a complete and informative presentation City Administrator Sterling Naron dotted the proverbial I’s and crossed the T’s while presenting the 2024-2025 Hudson Oaks proposed budget to fellow council members and fellow citizens.

“I quickly want to highlight some of the city’s achievements in FY24. The city accomplished many feats in fiscal year 2024,” he said.

These achievements included:

Mass meter swap – The city used funds from previously passed debt to replace every water meter in the city. This project was long overdue, as there was a substantial amount of water meters that were defective.

Street grading project – The city signed a contract with a third party engineering firm to grade all the streets in Hudson Oaks. "This grading gives us a list of which streets are in the most need of being improved," Naron said.

The continuation of attracting new businesses, such as Chuy’s, Sherwin Williams, Jersey Mike's, and much more.

Street improvements per the city’s schedule with drainage improvements.

Green Ribbon – In FY24 the city continued its partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation with another phase of Green Ribbon projects. The newest phase of these projects includes beautifying sections directly off Exit 414 going westbound off Fort Worth Highway. It also includes the planting of new trees, and the replacement of dead trees, along Interstate 20.

“The most substantial element in the fiscal year 2025 budget is the adoption of water rates and wastewater rates for all water customers the city currently serves," Naron said. "This is due to the new capital projects the city plans to undertake.”

The 2024-25 budget is just over $5.8 million, which is just over $325,000 less than the 2023-2024 budget.

A much-needed expenditure that was noted is the purchase of a 2025 Ford Police Interceptor for $48,505 for the Hudson Oaks Police Department.

A proclamation made by Mayor Tom Fitzpatrick was to make October Domestic Violence Awareness Month.