COLDSPRING — The Coldspring City Council met on Dec. 1 for regular updates on the city’s finances and new legislation that will impact the community in the upcoming new year.
Mayor John Benestante and newly appointed Municipal Court Attorney Greg Magee spoke to the council about a new fire ordinance that will soon be in effect. Benestante said that forbidden fires have become an issue in Coldspring and needs to be tamed before more occurrences.
Demolishing buildings and burning high piles of timber were listed as issues that Benestante wants to be highlighted in new fire ordinances.
“The city is growing, and it is going to continue to grow. I would rather see you have ordinances now…”, Magee said.
Benestante and Magee stressed the importance of having new ordinances, especially on fires, soon in place to ensure that there is no confusion on where Coldspring stands on such matters.
Furthermore, a new city ordinance regarding the hotel will be updated to include new definitions for hotel, permanent resident, tourist and tourism.
Benestante said that tourism will be heavily promoted in the Coldspring. Benestante sets his sights on more guests coming to the city to stay in the motel and experience the Coldspring community.
In a separate matter, Benestante updated the council on Coldspring’s financial reports.
“As far as total expenses, we’re about 73 percent of what we budgeted, so there is going to be a sizable amount of funds left over,” he said.
Benestante intends to roll the remaining general fund balance per 2025 into 2026.
In other business, the council:
The next city council meeting is at 7 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2026.
