EARLY – Following an executive session Tuesday night, the Early City Council approved a 380 Agreement between the City of Early and CP Early Land, LP regarding property development where Atwoods will be located at 1701 Early Blvd.

According to Early City Administrator Tony Aaron, “Atwoods is this developer’s project, but he also has about 140 additional acres he’s looking to develop. He’s going to build a street, buy water and sewer supplies and City labor will put in main water and sewer lines for them. This street will called Logan’s Way and will access this 140 acres for additional commercial sites and some multi-family and possible residential areas. All that is yet to be determined, but it is a good new street accessing an open area of what could be.”

Also during the meeting, Council:

* Approved the appointment of Matt Campbell for a position on the Municipal Development District Board, replacing Alisha Newton who has moved outside the city limits

* Approved entering into an agreement with Volkert for surveying services of Town Center Boardwalk property lots. Volkert is surveying four building locations at a cost of $7,300.

* Approved excusing the absences of Council member Charles Matlock, who is on an extended vacation out of state visiting family

A budget workshop concluded Tuesday’s meeting, where items discussed included a possible spay and neuter program for City residents, as well as the potential purchase of a ladder truck for the Early Fire Department.

“The City Council had a presentation from Chief Chad Hill about the need for a ladder fire truck,” Aaron said. “We looked at different options and most new ladder trucks are going to be $1.7 million to $2.5 million. So we discussed the options of used versus new and then the risk of how much is too used. Any of that is something that’s going to affect the tax rate. We can’t make a purchase like that without their being some implication on the tax rate so we’re evaluating those costs. For example, a $2 million ladder truck would be somewhere around 10 cents on the tax rate. That’s a lot, but it’s a need for the safety of the public. Currently we collect about $2 million in property taxes and our budget for police and fire is about $2 million, so nearly everything we bring in on property taxes goes to police and fire. This is just one more item that’s part of being a growing community.”

The next Early City Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 where the proposed property tax rate will be discussed.