Council adopts clearer residency rules, appeals process and updated maps for *** offender ordinance

Bruceville-Eddy ' The City Council on April 23 adopted amendments to the city's residency ordinance for *** offenders intended to clarify terms, administration and mapping.

Chief Michael Dorsey told the council the revised ordinance keeps the original framework but provides clearer definitions for terms including "child safety zone," "permanent residence" and "temporary residence," and improves the exemption process. "The amended ordinance expands and clarifies what constitutes a child safety zone," he said, adding that the package includes updated maps for the BISD campus and the city Little League field.

Under the amended rules, the police chief makes the initial exemption decision and must provide written notice; applicants may appeal denials to the city council within 10 days. Chief Dorsey said the changes are intended to make enforcement more consistent and to improve public understanding through clear exhibits and mapping.

Council members raised concerns about map accuracy and whether property boundaries had been represented correctly; a subordinate motion requiring exhibits be updated to match the relevant county appraisal district maps passed and was incorporated into approval. The ordinance amendment was approved by motion and passed without recorded opposition.

Council directed staff to coordinate with appraisal district mapping services to ensure exhibits reflect precise property boundaries before final publication of the ordinance packet.