Latest News and Information
February 1, 2012
The Florence Municipal Court and City Hall will be closed February 20, 2012, in observance of President’s Day.
January 12, 2011
The Florence Municipal Court and City Hall will be closed January 16, 2012, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.
November 22, 2011
The Florence Municipal Court and City Hall will close at 12:00 pm, November 23, 2011, and resume regular business on Monday, November 28, 2011, in observance of Thanksgiving. Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.
November 1, 2011
Clawson Disposal and the City of Florence have entered into a new contract requiring all customers to have a cart. Effective December 1, 2011, the rates for garbage pickup will increase. The new rate for residential is $17.06 per month. For commercial rates, please contact City Hall at 254-793-2490 x 2.
Effective December 1, 2011, the minimum base rate and tier rate will increase by 10 %. The sewer rate was not affected.
Effective November 1, 2011, the City is now in Stage 4 of the Drought Contingency Plan.
October 20, 2011, 3:21 pm-
The City of Florence reinstated Stage 5 of the Drought Contingency Plan due to water issues with the system. The City will post information as it becomes available.
October 17, 2011, 3:05 pm-
The City of Florence is now in Stage 4 of the Drought Contingency Plan.
Press Release- October 8, 2011, 2:00 pm
The city water supply in Florence has been repaired and is safe to use. Residents and businesses are encouraged to follow the Post Boil Notice Instructions for their health and safety. The Post Boil Notice Instructions are posted at Florence City Hall if you are unable to download them. City of Florence still remains under stage 5 water restrictions.
What to do after a Boil Water Notification has been lifted.
City of Florence
Press Release- Florence Water Outage
Contact: Amy Crane 254-793-2490 ext. 2
Press Conference being held today: Florence City Hall October 7, 2011 4pm
October 7, 2011 (Florence, TX) – At approximately 7:30am yesterday October 6, a contracted construction company was installing new sewer pipes on Ledger Street in the City of Florence. During that process, work crews damaged an 8” water main causing the only water storage tank in the city to drain dry. This was a loss of approximately 140,000 gallons of potable water and De-pressurized the entire city water line system.
As a result, an immediate Boil Water Notice was issued to the citizens. The City has taken the following steps to support the citizens:
- Issued Boiled Water Notice
- Requested support from Williamson County for Incident Management
- Purchased and providing potable bottled water periodically to Florence citizens
- Assisted with immediate repairs of the water line
- Water samples sent to verify water quality and safety
The initial water sample taken and sent for evaluation did not meet minimum quality standards. A second sample has been taken and sent for further studies. These tests have a minimum 24 hour turn around period. The Boil Water Notice remains in effect until a positive test result is confirmed; and the city water reservoir has been re-filled from well sources. Both of which are expected to be tomorrow afternoon. The Williamson County and Cities Health District are assisting local schools and businesses with changing business practices for continued safe operations. Some food establishments elected to close voluntarily with plans to re-open as soon as the water is certified safe.
The water Point of Distribution (POD) site is located at Florence Middle School on Hwy 195 @ FM 970. Bottled water is being provided for no cost to Florence citizens at the following times:
Friday October 7:
6p-9p
Saturday October 8:
12p-2p
Once a positive water sample test is returned, there are specific guidelines from the Health Department that will be published explaining procedures for flushing the city water system, residential and commercial water sources prior to using or “drinking” the water.
The City of Florence is under Stage 5 water rationing until further notice. All citizens supplied with water from the City of Florence will need to boil all water for cooking, drinking, and ice making until further notice.
Press Release
6 October 2011 7:00 PM
The City of Florence experienced an 8″ water main break at 7:30 a.m. on October 6, 2011. Due to the location of the break, water service to all 500 customers in the City was affected. The line break was repaired by 12:30 p.m., and water pressure was restored to the system at 2:00 p.m.
Because the system was depressurized during this event, a boil water notice has been issued. All water customers of the City of Florence will need to boil all water for cooking, drinking, and ice making until further notice. Water samples have been submitted for bacteriological testing – results are expected by early Friday afternoon.
The City has also enacted Stage 5 of the Drought Contingency Plan. All outdoor watering is prohibited, and citizens are asked to conserve water as system reserves are restored. The City is distributing bottled water to its customers at Florence Middle School from 6-9pm Thursday evening, then again on Friday from 6-9am, 12-2pm, and 6-9pm.
The City apologizes for the inconvenience this has caused. Our City staff is working diligently to restore full service. The City will issue another update on the situation at 10AM Friday morning. For information on Florence ISD school hours, please consult their website at www.florenceisd.net
October 7, 2011- Water Main Line Break Update
The City of Florence had experienced an 8″ main water break that has shutdown the water system for the entire City.
The water main has been repaired, but the system will need to be re-pressurized. The City expects to have water re-established by 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2011.
The City is asking that once water service is re-established, Citizens curtail their use of water as Stage 5 water rationing has been enacted until further notice.
All Citizens supplied with Florence City water will need to boil all water for cooking, drinking, ice making until further notice.
The City apologizes for the inconvenience and hopes to have restored as soon as possible.
As of 5:00 p.m., October 6, 2011, Florence ISD will resume classes on Friday, 10:00 a.m.
Public Notice to Boil Water
Due to a major 8 inch water line break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system, City of Florence, ID # 2460005, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.
September 28, 2011
2011 Effective Tax Rate-
“THE CITY OF FLORENCE ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR’S TAX RATE.”
2011 Effective Tax Rate is 0.741697 per 100.
The State Highway 195 Loop-
The loop around Florence is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2011. Estimated to be completed within three years. Click here to view map.
T.D.R.A. T.C.D.P. No. 710221-
2010 CDBG Grant for Wastewater Rehab Project Phase 3 $250,000.00 consisting of approximately 3,400 linear feet of 8-inch SDR-35 wastewater pipe, 13 manholes, 40 service connections and various appurtenances.
Contractor- Nelson Lewis, Inc. of Marble Falls, Texas.
Total calendar days to complete project- 120 days beginning August 22, 2011.
Please click here to view Location Map.
Safe Routes to School Grant TxDOT CJS 0914-05-160-
Click here to view location map. Project has been awarded to M & C Fonseca Construction, Inc. of Granite Shoals conditioned upon Texas Department of Transportation concurrence on July 29, 2011. As of September 6, 2011, the City received concurrence approval.
Total calendar days to complete project- 160 days beginning September 12, 2011.
Florence Community Park Grant-
The City received a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife for $191,215.00 to match the grant from Williamson County for $200,000.00 to construct the new Florence Community Park. Click here to view preliminary layout of the Florence Community Park. This map is subject to change.
Infrastructure Update-
Although the City did not receive funding from the Texas Water Development Board to construct the pipeline for surface water from Chisholm Trail and other various water and wastewater projects, the city applied for assistance with the USDA. The City is awaiting approval from USDA.