Hillsboro Board Highlights Community Events, Police Updates, Growth and Street Department Hiring

One of the lighter moments of the meeting came during discussion of Hillsboro Nights, a monthly community event that city officials said had a strong start and could continue to grow.

Officials said the recent event was well attended, with runners, food trucks, live music from the school jazz band, and participation from the police department, fire department and other local groups.

“It was really smooth,” one city official said during the meeting, adding that the event appeared to be well organized and brought people out into the community.

The event is expected to take place on the last Friday of each month through October.

Mayor Buddy Russell also used his report to mention House Bill 2818, thanking the entire board for signing onto a letter to the governor regarding the legislation.

Russell said the issue was important for cities, particularly as it relates to annexation concerns, and said he appreciated the board showing a united front.

“I want to thank everybody on the board for signing it,” Russell said. “That shows that we’re all together on this issue.”

The Hillsboro Police Department also reported a busy month.

Chief Curtis said the department handled 227 calls and 35 police reports in May. He also said the department sent out 19 code violation letters related to issues such as overgrown grass and vehicles, adding that he plans to include that information in future reports because it is a topic of public interest.

The chief also recognized Officer Jake Christianson as the department’s Officer of the Quarter for the first quarter of the year.

Christianson was described as one of the department’s newer hires, but one who brought roughly six or seven years of prior experience with him. Chief Curtis said Christianson has been involved with the department and has been doing a great job.

The board also approved several police department policy and procedure updates. The policies listed on the agenda included updates related to personnel files, police department job descriptions, employee leave, fitness for duty, uniform regulations, body armor use, personal appearance and grooming, department-owned and personal property, and drug and alcohol testing.

Building activity was another major point of discussion.

Leonard Niehaus, building inspector, reported eight building permits issued in May, along with 15 occupancy inspection permits and 24 construction inspections completed. He said building permit and occupancy fees totaled $4,104.03 for the month.

Niehaus also said development at the new Hawk Ridge area is moving quickly. He told the board the project is not half full yet, but already looks active, with multiple foundations being worked on and two homes sold and occupied.

“They’re going like crazy,” Niehaus said.

Public Works Operations Manager Dave Saver also reported a busy month, with crews dealing with spring storms, district cleanup and water breaks. He said public works is continuing to monitor water loss and is also preparing bids for concrete and asphalt work in Eagle Ridge and Fox Point.

The board also approved hiring Nathanael Andrews for the street department.

City officials said the city received about 12 applications for the position, including several strong candidates. The hire passed unanimously.

Officials also noted that, while only one person was being hired at this time, there were enough good applicants that the city may hold onto some resumes in case future positions open.

The board also approved an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Hillsboro and the Jefferson County Health Center for mosquito control, as well as a water main agreement with Water Quick, LLC and Maximum Contracting, LLC.

The water agreement allows local water haulers to fill metered trucks through the city’s public works system and be charged accordingly.

The board also discussed water and sewer rates. Officials noted that Hillsboro had previously made a larger rate adjustment and then followed with smaller annual percentage increases. This year’s discussed increase was 1.5 percent, lower than the 3 percent increases used in some previous years.

During the discussion, officials compared Hillsboro’s situation to larger increases being seen in other communities and said Hillsboro’s smaller adjustment was a sign the city was holding its own while dealing with aging infrastructure.

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 6.