(KYTX) Tyler - In a split vote, the Tyler City Council decided not to waive the cost of Tyler historic landmark plaques for 15 property owners in the Azalea district.
A cost some thought was a waste.
"We're taking city money and putting it in something that may not even be necessary," Councilman Mark Whatley said.
The markers would have cost $300 each.
City council did approve a new map for future growth.
"This is really the same type of agreement the city has recently done with Chandler, Bullard, and Lindale," City Attorney Gary Landers said.
The city voted on a new Extra Territorial District Jurisdiction or ETJ for Tyler and the City of Winona. An ETJ is the anticipated area of growth for a community.
The City of Tyler will now be able to grow north all the way I-20 while the City of Winona will grow the other way toward I-20. Previously both cities had land in their ETJ's on both sides of the interstate.
"It's a win win for both of us and for the developers and stakeholders to know who's going to have the jurisdiction in the future as they go in develop properties whether it's industry or individual homes," Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass said.
Water rates were also on the agenda. City Council approved $35,000 for a new study that will look at operation costs, rainfall, and consumption numbers.
The study will allow the city to build a model to project what rates it will need in the future to make sure operating costs are covered.
"A few years ago there were cities in Texas with double digit increases 20-30 percent rate increases. We're trying to look to the future and development an incremental rate structure to allow us to meet the needs of the utility to provide the level of service our customers expect," Tyler Utilities Director Greg Morgan said.
The study is done every 4 to 5 years. The water department uses the results of these studies to decide if your rates will go up.
