August 15, 2023

CARTS interlocal agreement, proposed property tax rate, 3^rd Quarter FY 2023 Investment Report, Lockhart Industrial District No. 1, Lockhart EMS medical director, election services, an ordinance for on-site sewage facilities and the first public hearing on the City’s proposed FY 2023 – 2024 budget were discussed at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Pictured left to right (front row): Mayor Pro-Tem Angie Gonzales-Sanchez, Mayor Lew White, Councilmember District 3 Kara McGregor. Pictured left to right (back row): Councilmember District 1 Juan Mendoza, Councilmember At-Large Brad Westmoreland, Councilmember District 4 Jeffry Michelson, Councilmember District 2 John Castillo.

Upcoming Meetings

September 5 – Regular Session

September 19 – Regular Session

October 17 – Regular Session

CARTS Interlocal Agreement:

                Council approved the interlocal agreement with the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) which includes its CARTS Now interurban service for FY 2023-2024. CARTS Now provides curb-to-curb, on-demand transit service within Lockhart city limits Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Property Tax Rate:

            Council voted to place a proposal to adopt the 2023 combined maintenance/operations and debt rate at 0.5348/$100 and to place on the September 5, 2023 agenda an ordinance to adopt this rate.

Third Quarter FY 2023 Investment Report:

            Council accepted the 3^rd Quarter Investment Report for FY 2023.

Industrial District No. 1:

            Council approved an ordinance designating Lockhart Industrial District No. 1 in the City’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Lockhart Industrial District No. 1 is located along FM 2720 between SH 142 and FM 2001.

Lockhart EMS Medical Director:

                Council approved a resolution for Travis County Emergency Physicians, P.A. dba U.S. Acute Care Solutions (USAC) to provide medical services for Lockhart EMS starting on October 1, 2023.

Election Services:

            Council entered a contract with the Caldwell County Elections Administrator to conduct Lockhart’s General Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

Installation and Use of On-site Sewage Facilities:

                Council adopted an ordinance establishing rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) within the City with more stringent requirements to eliminate and prevent health hazards as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Proposed FY 2023-2024 Budget:

                Council held a public hearing on the City of Lockhart’s proposed FY 2023-2024 budget. The next public hearing is September 5, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

City Manager’s Report:

• Water Conservation: Lockhart is approaching Stage 2 water restrictions. Additional voluntary conservation measures are requested of City of Lockhart water customers. For water conservation tips, visit www.Lockhart-tx.org
• FM 2720 Update: TxDOT presented two alternative alignments in a recent public meeting for FM 2720 between SH 21 and SH 142. A stub out is planned north of the LEDC Industrial Park III to connect to the SH 130 service road. The preferred alignment layout for FM 2720 will be presented at a public hearing late 2023/early 2024.
• Aquatics Subcommittee Update: The second meeting for the Aquatic Needs Assessment has been completed and, from a funding and planning standpoint, the general consensus is to plan for an outdoor multi-use pool with possibly a competitive component to replace the existing pool at a new location. A joint meeting schedule with City Council, Parks Board, and Aquatics Subcommittee is to be scheduled.
• Maple St. Splash Pad Update: Shade structures for the Maple St. Splash Pad have been installed.
• Pool Hours After School Starts: Due to the school year starting for Lockhart ISD, City Pool will begin operating on the weekends only until Labor Day, September 4. The hours will be Saturday-Sunday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan website and survey are now LIVE. You can access them by visiting www.PlanLockhartTX.com, which also has a timeline and a summary of the project. Hard copies of the survey are available at Lockhart City Hall and the Dr. Eugene Clark Library. City Staff and the City’s Comprehensive Plan consulting team with Freese and Nichols will be at the next Courthouse Nights Music Series, Friday, August 18, to provide more information and answer questions regarding the project.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the August 15, 2023, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).