The Lampasas City Council decided last week to include $355,000 in the city's proposed 2009-10 budget to light four athletic fields to be constructed at a new sports park.

The council plans to light two pairs of baseball and soccer fields set for construction during the first phase of work on the athletic complex off Farm-to-Market Road 580 West.

During a budget workshop, Councilman Brad Neely said having all four fields illuminated could generate revenue for the city by allowing Lampasas to host sports tournaments.

During earlier budget discussions, council members considered appropriating funds to light just two fields. The city will spend less on the third and fourth fields, however, if it lights all four playing areas this year, as opposed to buying lights over the course of several years, Public Works Director Randy Clark said.

"You'll never get the four lights cheaper than you can right now," City Manager Michael Stoldt added.

The City Council also plans to include in the proposed budget about $235,000 for a sewer line near St. Mary's Catholic Church. Councilman John Cole said the line could prompt economic development on North Key Avenue and near the intersection of Key and FM 580 East.

The line also will solve a potential creek pollution problem, Stoldt said, and result in a new customer if the church decides to switch to sewer service rather than replace its failing septic system.

A final decision on whether to spend the funds allocated for the sewer extension will depend in part on how much money the church will contribute toward the work, the city manager added.

"If they don't participate, we don't have to fund this," Stoldt said.

The city will use reserves to balance its budget, and to pay for the sports park lighting and possible sewer extension. With those capital items included in the proposed budget, the total reserve transfer will be $762,704.

When the 2009-10 budget year ends on Sept. 30, 2010, Lampasas will have about $3.6 million in undesignated reserves, in addition to reserves sufficient to provide for 90 days of operating expenses, Stoldt said.

At a workshop session last week, Lampasas resident Jack Shelton told City Council members he supports the proposed reserve transfers, because the city has a healthy amount of savings. Citing the biblical parable of three servants entrusted with their master's money, Shelton said the city should not hoard reserves.

The council planned a reserve transfer of $1 million in 2008-09, but the city is projected to use only about $600,000 of that money.

"I've never stood up before a council two years in a row and argued for spending money out of reserves," Stoldt said, "but what makes me feel comfortable with it is we're not spending it on regular operating expenses."

The $35 million proposed budget includes about $1.7 million in capital expenditures.

Also during recent workshop sessions, the City Council OK'd increases in greens fees and membership rates for Hancock Park Golf Course.

If the council approves the proposed budget, greens fees will increase by $0.92 both for nine holes and for 18-hole rounds.

The price of a six-month individual membership will rise by $18.48, and couples memberships will increase by $29.56. The proposed budget also includes an increase of $58.20 in semi-annual family membership dues.

Once the new rates take effect, Hancock Park Golf Course's greens fees will be about a dollar higher than those at courses in Copperas Cove, Gatesville, San Saba and Llano, Stoldt said. Membership fees generally will remain lower than those at neighboring cities' courses, he said.

"We are still the cheapest game in the area," Stoldt said of membership rates.

City Council members have decided to delay cart shed construction. The project may be funded within the next few years, Stoldt said.

The council will hold public hearings on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 3 at noon about the proposed budget and tax rate of 39 cents per $100 valuation. The first reading of an ordinance to adopt the proposed budget and tax rate will take place Sept. 14, during the council's regular meeting.

The new budget will take effect Oct. 1.