The City of Friona has been working hard to bring awareness to the approaching 2020 Census. Additionally, the City is publishing weekly articles in the Friona Star to make folks more comfortable with the census process. For the first time, the 2020 Census will allow online entering of census information. City Manager Leander Davila has been working with a group of 4th graders to film a public service announcement about the census with the help of Eric Gonzalez from EG Photography and 4th Grade Teacher Marie Samarron.
If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to buy a ticket to the 64th Annual Chamber Awards Banquet. This year’s banquet will feature a dance troupe, homemade salsa competition, silent and live auctions, and much more. We will also have our future renovation plans for the Friona Community Center on display for everyone to view. The work on the Community Center’s new roof and central heating and air will begin shortly after the chamber banquet.
Chief Jimenez and the officers responded to 166 calls in February. There were 115 stops, 57 warnings, 58 citations and 12 arrests (2-warrants, 1-no driver’s license, 2-public intoxication, 1-driving while license invalid, and 6-local warrants). The officers drove a total of 1956 miles patrolling and protecting our city.
The Volunteer Fire Department responded to four emergency calls in February. February 3rd – Mutual Aid Grass Fire - 8 Firefighters and 4 trucks responded. February 4th – Vehicle Accident - 10 Firefighters and 3 trucks responded. February 11th – Vehicle Accident - 12 Firefighters and 3 trucks responded. February 15th – Vehicle Accident (cancelled) - 3 Firefighters responded. February 20th – Vehicle Accident - 8 Firefighters and 2 trucks responded. February 26th – Punctured Residential A/C Line - 4 Firefighters and 1 truck responded. The Volunteer firemen did a great job responding to and handling the emergency situations. As always, we say “thank you” for what each of you do for our community.
Emergency Medical Service responded to 23 calls in February. There were 14 calls for 911, 4 calls for transfers, 4 calls ended in a “no transport”, and 1 call for disregarded 911s. Total billing equaled $19,984.29 and the City collected $6,132.42 of that total.
Accounts Payable totaled $549,240.59 for the month of February. The reason expenditures were higher this month is because the City paid the principal and interest on their 2 bonds. Their total payment alone was $352,850.00. One bond will mature in 2021 and the other in 2022. The City is looking into options of paying off their bond debt early. All bills are paid and the City continues to be in good standing.
Judge Campbell had 50 new cases in February. Total fines collected were $27,644.44 and court cost equaled $23,241.13. Warrant Round-Up was operational in February which resulted in the higher collection of revenue for the month.
Friona Public Library had 656 patron visits (including electronic visits) for an average of 36 visits per day and was open for 18 days. There were 711 items circulated and 193 new items added to inventory.
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