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Florence Council to Explore Wastewater Transfer with BVRT, Approves $19,775 Payment and Several Hires
Summary
At a special meeting March 24, the Florence City Council authorized staff to pursue discussions with BVRT Utility Holding Company about the city’s wastewater treatment plant, approved a $19,775 invoice payment for digestor valves, and approved multiple personnel actions including hiring a school resource officer.
Florence City Council met in a special session on March 24, 2026, entering closed executive session under Texas Government Code Sec. 551.0761 to meet with BVRT Utility Holding Company about the city’s wastewater treatment plant and related critical-infrastructure matters. The council returned to open session at 6:22 p.m. and approved several motions without opposition.
The council voted to ask staff to discuss with BVRT the possibility of BVRT taking over Florence’s wastewater treatment plant and to tour the City of Uhland’s plant to observe its operations. The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mary Condon and seconded by Forrest Hyde; minutes record the motion carried with no opposition.
Council also approved payment of the remaining invoice balance of $19,775.00 to replace gate valves on the bottom of the digestor. That motion was made by Mary Condon and seconded by Debra Bivens and carried unanimously.
On personnel matters, the council approved hiring Michael Murray as a School Resource Officer; the minutes state Murray will become a patrol officer when a replacement is found. The hire motion was made by Mary Condon and seconded by Mary Jane Swope and passed with no opposition. The council directed staff to post the reserve police officer position and begin candidate recruitment (motion by Mary Condon; second by Debra Bivens).
Separately, Councilmember Mary Jane Swope moved and Debra Bivens seconded a motion to hire Engineer Austin for managed IT services under a 90-day probationary period; that motion also passed with no opposition. The council tabled action on renting parks for special events pending further information and approved a staff-led customer credit process after the mayor speaks with Al Clawson Disposal Inc.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ben Daniel at 5:30 p.m., adjourned at 6:47 p.m., and the minutes were subsequently certified by City Secretary Angelica Lombardi on April 7, 2026.
Authorities cited in the public minutes include Texas Government Code Sec. 551.0761 for the executive session.
