Early voting for the Italy City Council and school board of trustees will be May 2-10 at city hall council chambers. Extended voting hours — from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. — will be Tuesday, May 3, and Tuesday, May 10. Election Day is Saturday, May 14, in the same location.

Teri Murdock, city administrator, reminded council members of the upcoming election Monday evening during the council’s monthly meeting.

She said voters will also vote on Proposition 1 which reauthorizes one-quarter of one percent sales tax for street repair. She said voters authorized the sales tax in 2007 but explained that voters must approve its continuance every four years.

She also noted that a Family Dollar Store has applied for a permit to build behind Mansell’s Grocery. She said they should seek final approval from the council in May.

She told the council the new concession stand at Upchurch Field is “up and running.”

She said there are a few minor cosmetic repairs to complete and credited Don Chambers for getting the project completed. She said Chambers would make the old concession stand toilet a unisex restroom.

In other business, the council approved a resolution (R11-0411-01) to issue an Issuer Note by the Italy Higher Education Facilities Corporation for the Clariden School and approving an amendment to the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Italy Higher Education Facilities Corporation.

The Italy Higher Education Facilities Corporation approved a $6.3 million loan several years ago. The balance is now $2.5 million and they went to refinance. Following a brief public hearing regarding the refinancing, the council approved the resolution.

The council also hired KSA Engineering Firm for a water improvement project.

Dean Carrell, water superintendent, said this project is to increase ground water storage. He explained that the city has applied for a $3.7 million grant from the Texas Water Board for ground storage.

The council met briefly in executive session to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of the city administrator. They reconvened into open session and took no action on the item.

During department reports, Lt. David Gray reported for the police department. Officers were called to service 130 times in March. Gray said they made four felony, nine misdemeanors, a juvenile and six traffic warrant arrests. Officers worked a total of 1,746 hours.

The animal control officer worked 96.5 hours, picked up 26 animals and issued 21 verbal warnings.

The code enforcement officer sent nine courtesy letters last month.

Murdock, reporting for the municipal court, said the police department issued 584 citations in March and cleared 12 warrants.

The council also approved minutes from March, approved bills and earned compensatory time.

Mayor Frank Jackson reminded the council about the upcoming Easter egg hunt scheduled Saturday, April 23, at Upchurch Field.