A new business in town, fund allocations, a small downtown park, and a local disaster declaration were among several agenda items Lockhart City Council decided on tonight.
In a 6-0 vote, city leaders approved:
—Reallocating $26,000 from the Go Kart Races to assist in this year’s Chisholm Trail Festival
—Issuing a local disaster declaration for winter weather emergency, allowing the city to apply for federal assistance
—The creation of a temporary outdoor space on East Market and South Commerce Streets with public restrooms and outdoor seating
—Allocating up to $88,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund, or HOT, to contribute to the Chisholm Trail Roundup, Cinco de Mayo/Diez y Seis, the Chamber's Visitors’ Center, Gaslight Baker Theater, Texas Swing, Caldwell County Jail Museum, and the SW Museum of Clocks and Watches
—Lockhart Police’s 2020 Racial Profiling Report
Council also approved of the five-year property tax incentive welcoming McElroy Metal Mill, Inc. to the city. The company will be the first occupant of Lockhart EDC’s new 75-acre industrial park off SH 130. Its initial investment of $3,250,000 includes eleven full time jobs within its first three years.
Concerns over electric bills were also addressed in tonight's meeting. The city’s financial director explained how last week’s historic winter storm affected rates. Upon calculation, she concluded the impact would be minimal. While no decision was made in relation to electric bills, council members also considered dipping into Lockhart’s electric mitigation fund to help offset the costs. Both issues will be considered further in the next council meeting, Tuesday, March 2nd.