BANGS – During Monday night’s meeting of the Bangs City Council, discussion took place regarding the interest of bringing a city swimming pool and splash pad to town.
Billy Jordan, City of Bangs Public Works Director, stated he had been in contact with a company called Oasis who could install a splash pad at a cost of approximately $30,000. Jordan stated a grant was also available through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that could pay up to half the cost. The splash pad would use recyclable water, could be turned on and off as the city saw fit, and would not affect water pressure within the city limits.
The beginning stages of bringing a swimming pool to Bangs – cost, location, size potential grants – was also discussed by the council.
No action was taken on either item, but further exploration of both projects will be taking place.
In other business Monday, City Secretary Tonya Slate was unanimously approved as the new court clerk.
Also, the formation of a search committee for a city administrator was created consisting of Mayor Rick Phelps and council members Marisa Craddock and Shelia Roberts. Phelps stated just one application has been received for the position, and that was submitted prior to him taking his oath.
The council was informed the City of Bangs had applied for and would be receiving $378,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act that will be dispersed in two payments of $189,000 – one this fall and the next in the spring. What that money will be used for has not yet been determined.
Sales tax allocations were shared and for July Bangs will receive $15,419, down slightly from $15,686 in July of 2020. For the year, however, Bangs’ sales tax number reads $122,413, a significant increase from $103,000 at this time in 2020.
The City of Bangs will also be reimbursing the Brownwood Police Deparment/Brown County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Office for 1,186 calls in which they responded to Bangs last year, which totals $33,231. That money will go toward the 16 dispatchers, two receptionists and the 911 subsidy all cities have to pay, Phelps said.
Discussion of adding security cameras to the city park and events center lso took place, and will be looked into further in the future.