MEET THE CITY of Jacksonville
Elected officials in Jacksonville include Mayor Randy Gorham ; Hubert Robinson , District 1 ; Mindy Gellock , District 2 ; Tim McRae , District 3 ; and Rob Gowin , District 4 and Mayor Pro Tem . James Hubbard serves as city manager and ReNissa Wade is assistant city manger .
Several projects , many of them grant-funded , have been completed over the last year . Finished and ongoing city projects include :
Communications
• Utility Interruption Alerts were implemented in May of 2022 to alert customers when there may be interruptions in their water service due to routine maintenance or emergency repairs .
• Implemented RAVE , a new Emergency Notification System for city-wide call and text notifications in an emergency .
• Implementation of new Video Series ( City Council Minute ) where our Communications Director covers the main action items taken at the City Council meetings each month .
Community Relations / Events
• Hosted the Great Jacksonville Cleanup , May 2022 . The event boasted over 120 volunteers picking up over 300 bags of trash across the City and saw 14 rollaway dumpsters filled , 2400 lbs of paper shredded , over 50 gallons of motor oil collected , 12 large boxes of electronics collected , and hundreds of tires collected .
• Unearthed the time capsule buried in 1972 in celebration of our 150th anniversary of Jacksonville !
• First Annual Rescue Camp held in June 2022 by our Police and Fire department to engage with the kids of Jacksonville . They had over 30 participants for this inaugural event .
• Two Citizens Police Academy Classes were hosted to engage the community with our Police Department and expose them to the activities of the department on a daily basis .
City Facilities
• In December 2021 , the city completed construction of a state of the art public safety complex to host police and fire departments .
• The city issued $ 1,000,000 in Tax Notes for purchase and renovation of the Clubhouse at Cherokee Ranch for public use as a Civic Center .
• The Jacksonville Public Library received two Federal Community Advancement Package Grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services via The Texas State Library and Archives Commission . The first grant funded the purchase of a 3D printer and accompanying supplies . The second grant was for an Analog Outreach Package including games , manipulatives and craft supplies for children ’ s programs .
• The Vanishing Texana Museum received a $ 5,000 grant from Humanities Texas to purchase two new display cases .
Finances
• For the sixth consecutive year , the city received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award , for the FY 2021-2022 budget , and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting , for the city ’ s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending in September 2020 .
• The city also earned the Certificate of Distinction from the Government Treasurers ’ Organization of Texas for the city ’ s Investment Policy . This was the first year our investment policy was submitted for review .
Governance
• A review of the City Charter was completed , identifying updates needed to comply with state law and to improve operations of the City and City Council .
• A City Council Visioning Session was conducted to begin development of a strategic plan for city operations moving forward .
• Substandard building hearings were held , then nine dilapidated buildings were demolished across town .
Infrastructure
• An assessment of all city streets was completed which will guide street improvements in fiscal year 2023 and beyond .
• In March 2022 , rehabilitation of the water well on Kickapoo Street was completed .
• Drainage improvements were completed along a portion of Dogwood Street .
• The city applied for and received over $ 10 Million in bonds from the Texas Water Development Board to be invested in water , wastewater , and streets improvements across the City . These improvements will be identified and implemented through a strategic capital improvement plan to be developed in FY 2023 .
• An assessment of all city streets was completed . The study will guide street improvements in fiscal year 2023 and byond .
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