Carrollton: City council talks about task force

By Senitra Horbrook, Staff Writer
(Created: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 9:31 PM CDT)

A group of residents will be appointed to study illegal immigration

Plans are in the works for the formation of a task force to study illegal immigration in Carrollton and to recommend how the city should deal with growing concern in the community.

Illegal immigration was one of Mayor Ron Branson’s top campaign issues. When elected in May, Branson told the Leader “One of the first things I want to do is put together a cross-section of the community and discuss our immigration problems.”

The council deliberated on how to best establish the task force during a work session Tuesday evening. Ideas included each council member submitting five names and then having the council decide as well as posting an application on the city Web site and having to pare down from however many citizens apply.

“You have to decide what are you looking for them to bring back to you,” City Manager Leonard Martin told the council. “Do you want them to hold public hearings in the community? You can’t appoint a group and say just go study this. They’re not going to know what to do.”

After going back and forth, Branson suggested the council form a subcommittee to decide how many should be on the task force and how the members will be selected. The subcommittee will also interview the candidates and potential facilitators. Council members Larry Williams and Herb Weidinger volunteered to be a part of the subcommittee with Branson. Branson said he wants to move quickly on the task force and that it will not be a long drawn out process. In other city news, the city council unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow a KFC/Taco Bell to be built on Belt Line Road, between Josey Lane and Metrocrest Drive.

The council also approved an extension of contracts with Allied Waste Services and Waste Management. Residents who receive trash collection from Allied will see their bills increase to $16.78. Those who receive services from Waste Manangement, including apartments and city facilities, will see their bills increase to $6.75. There will be no changes in service.

Contact Senitra Horbrook at 972-628-4074 or shorbrook@acnpapers.com. Comment on this story at scntx.com.