From the Mayor's Desk (April)

Dear Oak Hill Neighbors and Friends,

The next meeting of the Oak Hill Board of Commissioners (BOC) is Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 6 pm at the City office.  The meeting will also be live-streamed on the City’s website where you will find a link.  Remember only those physically present may make public comments.  Either way, you are welcome to attend.

March 26 Meeting.  The BOC received a detailed update from Adrian Ward, P.E., Vice President of Barge Design Solutions Inc., on the Stormwater Masterplan being developed for the City by Barge.  The study has identified over 2100 structures that are part of the City’s storm water drainage system, 175 of which are in need of immediate attention.  Modeling of the system under storm conditions has been completed for much of the City, with alternatives for action to be considered.  Barge expects the final report to be completed very soon.

The BOC voted (4-0) to adopt on first reading an Ordinance to Abandon an Undeveloped Section of Nanearle Place, which has been described in previous emails.  The BOC also considered an Ordinance Adopting an Investment Policy Statement to be used as a set of guiding principles for proper handling and risk avoidance when investing funds of the City.  Some revisions to the Policy Statement were suggested by Vice Mayor Evans, which the BOC favored.  Since the Investment Policy Statement had originated from the Investment Management Committee, the BOC voted (4-0) to incorporate the suggested changes and return the document to the Committee for their input before the BOC votes to adopt the Statement.

April 23 Meeting.  The BOC will receive an Update on MS4 Analytic Stream Testing within the City as part of our obligations for water quality pursuant to MS4 requirements of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).  A representative of Kimley Horn will give the report.

The Ordinance to Abandon an Undeveloped Section of Nanearle Place will be presented to the BOC for second and final reading.  Another item of old business, the Ordinance Adopting an Investment Policy Statement, will be back before the BOC for consideration on first reading.

The BOC will also consider on first reading an Ordinance Amending the Schedule of Permit Fees charged by the City.  This is a matter the BOC, City Manager, and Code Officer have discussed at prior meetings, focusing particularly on the appropriateness of the fee schedule for conditional use permit holders, such as churches and schools.  The proposed ordinance reduces those permit fees by dividing the schedule between “Tier One” for residential permits and “Tier Two” for conditional use permits.  Other non-building permit fees regularly charged by the City are also included in the Ordinance in order to restate all fees in one place.

The City Manager will present the proposed Budget Ordinance for FY 2024-2025 along with a detailed proposed budget.  For the General Fund the budget includes $3,586,329 in revenues and $3,466,573 in expenditures; the Sanitation Fund proposes revenues of $550,200 and expenditures of $539,656.  This will be the BOC’s first opportunity to review and discuss the budget for next year.  The City Manager will also present the Budget Calendar for further consideration and adoption of the Budget Ordinance, which is designed to complete the process before the deadline of June 30.

Please let us know if you have concerns about the above or any other matters affecting Oak Hill.  Attend the meeting and speak during Public Comments, or send an email.  Your participation helps preserve what we love about living in Oak Hill.

Best regards,

Dale Grimes

Mayor