February 2026 Council Update - Resident Notes

Welcome to your monthly update from the Village of The Hills. Below are the key highlights and decisions from the Regular City Council Meeting held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The January law enforcement report recorded 143 total incidents.

Traffic Enforcement Highlights:

Traffic Improvement:
Officers reported that resident complaints regarding traffic violations have declined. Increased police presence appears to be slowing drivers and improving stop-sign compliance. That’s a positive trend — and it shows enforcement works when consistently applied.

Nighttime Safety Reminder:
With limited street lighting throughout the Village, visibility remains a concern. Residents are encouraged to drive cautiously at night, especially with children on scooters and pedestrians sharing the roads.

False Alarms:
Council discussed repeated false alarms at one Timberon property due to electrical issues. Frequent false dispatches strain police resources and reduce availability for real emergencies.

Serene Hills Gate Congestion:
Traffic backups continue at the private Serene Hills entrance, often caused by guests and contractors following GPS directions. Residents are strongly encouraged to instruct visitors to use the main entrance.

City staff met with the engineering team from Google Fiber on January 21 to evaluate deployment in The Hills.

The proposed method is micro-trenching, which involves making narrow cuts in asphalt to install fiber while minimizing surface disruption. Due to the Village’s unique drainage systems and stone gutter designs, evaluation will occur street-by-street.

This is a thoughtful approach - balancing modernization with infrastructure preservation.

The Mayor expressed appreciation to:

Collaboration during recent icy conditions helped maintain safety. Residents were also thanked for staying off the roads during hazardous periods — a reminder that community discipline matters during emergencies.

Treasurer Gary introduced a clearer “snapshot” financial reporting format to improve transparency.

Property Taxes:
Collections are slightly lower than last year due to:

Sales Tax:
Revenue has increased, largely driven by higher golf club and social dues activity.

The Village is currently operating at a surplus because property taxes are front-loaded. However, as the fiscal year progresses, expenditures will naturally outpace collections as the budget amortizes.

In simple terms: healthy position now, but long-term discipline remains important.

The Property Owners Association welcomed:

A new property management firm began operations on February 1.

William Luoma has been appointed to the Hurst Creek MUD board.

Work is underway on a new pamphlet and updated logo to help new residents understand the structure and roles of:

Clarity reduces confusion — especially in a community with layered governance.

Small events like these strengthen community bonds. Don’t underestimate their value.

Sometimes governance isn’t glamorous - it’s making sure basic tools function properly.

March 10, 2026

If you care about where The Hills is headed, stay engaged. Governance works best when residents pay attention - not just when issues become controversial.

See you next month.