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ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD Kempner street signs boast a new look that includes the city’s insignia. Multiple street signs have been updated in recent months, according to City Manager Rebecca Ramos.

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD Kempner street signs boast a new look that includes the city’s insignia. Multiple street signs have been updated in recent months, according to City Manager Rebecca Ramos.

Kempner City Council adopts 2025-26 FY budget, maintains tax rate

Erick Mitchell
Monday, August 18, 2025
Last week, Kempner City Council members adopted the 2025-2026 fiscal-year budget that includes a 41% increase in expenses. The city’s tax rate is set to remain unchanged.Council members Thomas Combs and Dan Long were absent from the Aug. 12 meeting.
August Payments to Area Cities Burnet up 0.2% $351,140 Copperas Cove up 5% $715,535 Evant up 6% $10,133 Gatesville up 12% $291,438 Goldthwaite up 7% $54,989 Hamilton up 19% $99,819 Kempner up 0.6% $21,184 Lampasas up 5% $268,137 Lometa up 7% $9,817 Marble Falls up 0.1% $1,312,855 San Saba down 5% $59,788 San Saba was the only city in the surrounding counties to record a percentage decline in August 2025, compared to August 2024 numbers. DISPATCH RECORD GRAPHIC

August Payments to Area Cities Burnet up 0.2% $351,140 Copperas Cove up 5% $715,535 Evant up 6% $10,133 Gatesville up 12% $291,438 Goldthwaite up 7% $54,989 Hamilton up 19% $99,819 Kempner up 0.6% $21,184 Lampasas up 5% $268,137 Lometa up 7% $9,817 Marble Falls up 0.1% $1,312,855 San Saba down 5% $59,788 San Saba was the only city in the surrounding counties to record a percentage decline in August 2025, compared to August 2024 numbers. DISPATCH RECORD GRAPHIC

Growth seen in August sales tax numbers

Gail Lowe
Monday, August 18, 2025
All entities in Lampasas County showed a gain in sales tax receipts this month when compared to collections for August 2024, and all cities in the surrounding counties were up this period as well – except for San Saba.

BRIEFLY

News Staff
Monday, August 18, 2025
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPA Grief Share support group will meet on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 through Dec. 2 at First Baptist Church, Heritage Hall. This 13-week group will offer guidance and resources to help navigate through the emotions of grief.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Bridge construction now complete

News Staff
Monday, August 18, 2025
Morotists cross the revamped Third Street bridge over Burleson Creek on Friday. The Texas Department of Transportation project, conducted by Acme Bridge, started in January and featueres new 12-foot travel lanes and 8-foot shoulders.
These Norway maples provide shade and cool the yards, sidewalk and street. Consult with the Extension Service for tree selections that work in your area. COURTESY PHOTO | MELINDAMYERS.COM

These Norway maples provide shade and cool the yards, sidewalk and street. Consult with the Extension Service for tree selections that work in your area. COURTESY PHOTO | MELINDAMYERS.COM

Plant a bit of shade near you

Melinda Myers
Monday, August 18, 2025
Summer heat may have you seeking comfort from a nearby shade tree. You immediately experience as much as a 15- to 20-degree drop in temperature and enjoy the relief it provides.Bring this shady relief home by looking for ways to include trees in your landscape.

Donations sought for Texas Historical Marker

News Staff
Monday, August 18, 2025
The Lampasas County Historical Commission is seeking a Texas Historical Marker for the Lometa School.Total cost for the marker is $2,500. Donations are requested to make this marker possible. Funds are needed by mid-September.
Bruce Schroeder, general manager of Ajinomoto Foods in Lampasas, said the food-processing plant would like to build a $12 million wastewater treatment facility. HUNTER KING | DISPATCH RECORD

Bruce Schroeder, general manager of Ajinomoto Foods in Lampasas, said the food-processing plant would like to build a $12 million wastewater treatment facility. HUNTER KING | DISPATCH RECORD

Town hall session on Ajinomoto Foods held by City Council

Hunter King
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Council Chambers in the Jack Calvert Municipal Building was completely full Monday night, as a town hall was held to discuss Ajinomoto Foods and its future in Lampasas.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Commissioners Court sets proposed tax rate

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Interested citizens packed the first-floor courtroom Monday for a busy Lampasas County Commissioners Court session.The Lampasas County Commissioners Court agreed to lower its tax rate by one cent for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year. Action came during Monday’s regular meeting of the court.
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