Cedar Hill bows to state changes, limits red-light fine amounts

by Loyd Brumfield of of Cedar Hill TODAY

The Cedar Hill City Council amended its red-light camera ordinance to bring it in line with new state regulations - a move that will mean less revenue for the city.

The current ordinance requires a fine of $100 for the first two violations recorded at intersections with red-light cameras, with a jump up to $200 for the third and subsequent violations.

Effective Sept. 1, the state calls for a cap of $75 per violation with no provision to increase the fine for more violations, along with a $25 late fee.

Makie Epie expressed anger at the state legislature's actions.

“I would hope others will share my anger at state legislatures for standing by and doing nothing, while taking this money away from us that we were going to use for safety,” he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Cory Spillman took note of the number of violations recorded at red-light camera intersections in July: 1,365, according to Cedar Hill Police Chief Steve Rhodes.

The city has red-light cameras at the following intersections:

-East Belt Line Road at Clark Road;

-FM 1382 eastbound and westbound at Highway 67;

-East Belt Line Road at Joe Wilson Road;

-East Belt Line Road at Waterford Oaks Drive.

The council also set the dates for the public hearings it must hold before it approves its budget and set its tax rate.

The council's proposed tax rate is 64.140 cents per every $100 of assessed property valuation, like it has been since 2002.

Higher property values around the city might mean higher taxes for some residents, even though the tax rate remains the same, some councilmembers noted.

The first public hearing on the tax rate is scheduled for Sept. 11 with a second one on Sept. 18.

A public hearing on the budget was scheduled for Sept. 25, while the budget and tax rate is scheduled to be adopted at the Sept. 25 council meeting.

“When you compare our tax rate to other cities, especially per capita, you'll find we're right in the middle of those cities,” Spillman said.

The council also heard from a couple of residents during an open citizens forum.

Robert Cox praised the police department's free vacation check program for people who want someone to keep an eye on their property while they are away.

“Four years ago on Mobley Road, where I live, our neighbors' home was broken into,” he said. “They didn't find much, so they moved over to my house. Unfortunately, my wife was home at the time but wasn't hurt, and the guy got away.”

After that, Cox heard about the department's vacation check program.

“I feel very safe when I go out of town, and I know my home is going to be safe,” he said.

Donna Warren of High Drive talked about poor road conditions on her street, which intersects with Tar Road.

“We come together with a common goal, which is to have a reasonable road to drive on,” she said.

Toward that end, Warren has gathered signatures from “nearly 100 percent” of the residents on High Drive who are willing to sign their rights-of-way over to the city so the road can be repaved.

Warren and others have met with Public Works Director Ruth Antebi-Guten and members of her staff and said the department has been very helpful.

“My neighbors and I are really united, which is very exciting for me,” Warren said.

All but one homeowner has agreed to give up their rights-of-way, and that one is close to signing, Warren said.

Before the council took action on anything, it recognized members of the Mission Cedar Hill Community Outreach team, which performs various tasks around the community.

“We have a code of ordinances that people have to keep up with, but for some people who might not be as fortunate as others, it gets really expensive,” Mayor Rob Franke said. “So, this group has stepped in and helps people get their homes under code if they can't afford it. They've been an incredible blessing in our town.”

The organization began as a joint effort between High Pointe Baptist Church and Fellowship Church at High Pointe.

“There's something special when you knock on a door and tell people you want to fix their fence,” group member Dave Mensik said. “Half the time they slam the door in your face, but when you come back a second and third time and say ‘Mission Cedar Hill and Home Depot want to help you, and it's free,' then their faces just light up.”