Council streamlines building-permit process

Aledo City Council spent about an hour and a half Thursday, Oct. 15, discussing food trucks and signs but didn’t make any ordinance changes.

The council did streamline the building-permit process, updating the rules for the first time since they were adopted in 1977. For the last almost 50 years City Council had to approve applications; now, that responsibility lies with the Aledo building inspector, Kevin Turner.

“This was primarily a procedural update to modernize an ordinance that has been in place for 40 years. Our goal is to make the process simpler, more efficient, and more convenient for residents who want to make improvements to their homes,” Mayor Shane Davis said. “By streamlining the process, we’re helping residents spend less time navigating paperwork and more time focusing on their projects — especially as the cooler months bring more comfortable and productive conditions for outdoor work. Ultimately, this is about making it easier for residents to invest in their homes and improve our community.”

Before going into executive session council members approved a $135,000 maintenance agreement with Kingom Technology for the city’s wastewater plant’s UV disinfection system.

Earlier in the meeting Ethan Young, a resident of Sagebrush Drive in Brookhollow said water has been leaking constantly onto the street and sidewalk for a year or more, and asked the city to fix it. 

“The water concerns in Brookhollow have been on the city’s radar since March, and we recognize the importance of finding a solution for the residents affected,” Davis said earlier this week. “Since that time, we have been working diligently with our engineering consultant to understand the issue and identify the best path forward. I understand the consultant has now identified a proposed solution, and City Council will receive a briefing at its next meeting. Our commitment is to approach this process thoughtfully, keep residents informed, and work toward a resolution that serves the best interests of the Brookhollow community.”