By Larry Holt

The Orange Leader

Although council members Andrus and Gauthier were absent at the Tuesday evening, Mayor Rutledge called the meeting to order and approval of the agenda was quickly entered into the record.

During the period for comments from the council, Mayor Pro-Tem Tammi Fisette said the new splash-pad coming soon is generating a great deal of excitement with a lot of people looking forward to it being built.

A member of the Bridge City Volunteer Fire Department stood before the council and attendees and read a commendation citation for the actions of tow truck driver, Larry Scott, when above the call of duty he hooked his tow chain to the overturned and burning vehicle lying on its side near a residence.

Using his tow truck, Larry drug the burning vehicle a safe distance away where the volunteer fire department was able to extinguish the flames.

As he took his certificate, a standing round of applause greeted him, and although obviously grateful for the recognition, council business called away further attention.

In other news, the council voted to adopt the Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan and confirm appointment of Bill Dixon, Jr. to fill the vacancy of the Municipal Judge position.

After Dixon was sworn in and the applause had died down, Rutledge called for Judge Dixon to say a few words.

“I am grateful and humbled for this opportunity,“ Dixon said. “These are big shoes to fill. I want to keep up the good work being done and do the best I can.”

Among other items:

• the council approved the July 18 City Council meeting minutes
• approved Morgan can now tie on to City water at his residence
• approved a Emergency Notification System Interlocal Agreement between the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) and the City of Bridge City
• and adopted an ad valorem tax rate on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 for the 2017 tax year of $0.52000 per $100.00 valuation for the City of Bridge City.

The City Manager confirmed for the council the proposed rate is not an increase over what the rate was last year.