West Lake Hills City Council met Wednesday to discuss police department requests, make an amendment to the city's trash collecting contract and to set dates for public hearings on the city's fiscal year 2017-18 budget and tax rate.

Police department requests

Police Chief Scott Gerdes outlined items the police department is asking the city to include in the FY 2017-18 budget that totaled $172,000. The items were part of a five-year improvement plan he presented to the City Council last summer.

Gerdes requested two new vehicles, three in-car radios to replace current 12-year-old models, three new dash-cam systems and security enhancements for the police building. He also requested the city fund yearly officer evaluations with a psychiatrist, which would be mandatory, as well as a physical fitness test.

City Administrator Robert Wood said the police department’s total budget, including salaries and dispatch costs, is projected to be $2 million in FY 2017-18.

The council approves smaller trash receptacles

The City Council approved an amendment to the city’s contract with Texas Disposal Systems to allow smaller carts for trash and recycling pickup. The amendment did not affect the price of the contract, Mayor Linda Anthony said.

The city has received numerous requests for smaller receptacles from residents who struggle with moving the existing carts up and down steep driveways, she said. Residents will now have the ability to request 35- and 65-gallon receptacles as well as the current 96-gallon receptacles, Anthony said.

Upcoming public hearings

The council scheduled public hearings regarding the FY 2017-18 budget and tax rate for Aug. 9 and Sept. 13. Wood said the council is scheduled to vote on the budget and tax rate at its Sept. 13 meeting.