On Monday night, the Lampasas City Council came out of executive session and named a new city secretary.
A motion by Councilman Charlie Pratus to appoint Kayleigh Stanley as the new city secretary passed unanimously 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem Cathy Kuehne was absent from the meeting.
Stanley had been serving Lampasas as executive secretary/ permit technician.
“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve the city of Lampasas in this role,” she said of her new post. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to the mayor and City Council for their trust in me and for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the future of our community. I look forward to working together to serve the citizens of Lampasas with integrity, transparency and dedication.”
The position had been vacant after the dismissal of Becky Sims in early June. Sims had served as city secretary since December 2020.
In other business Monday, the council held a budget workshop. Two more sessions on the budget are planned – one on July 21 and the final one on July 28.
During the workshop, City Manager Erin Corbell discussed some basics surrounding the budget and said the council will get more specific information to break down over the next couple of weeks. She noted, however, that increases to both property taxes and water rates are possible.
Those decisions will be considered at upcoming sessions.
When asked about the size of any proposed increase, Corbell mentioned that something in the $2.50 to $3 range for a water rate increase would see the city break even in the budget, but the rates may need to be higher if the council wants to complete some projects listed as capital improvements.
Any rate increases that do get approved would go into effect Oct. 1, according to Corbell.
Council members also asked that staff provide data comparing salaries and benefits of employees within several departments -- including first responders, the electric department, water department and streets -- so they can consider whether to increase compensation for certain positions to ensure employees are happy working in Lampasas.
In other matters Monday, the council heard presentations from representatives of the Water Control & Improvement District #1, Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center and Heart of Texas Defense Alliance. These presentations are intended to give the council and city staff input as they work to construct the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
In action items, the council approved the closing of South Western Avenue from Second to Third Street from 8 a.m. Sept. 20 through noon Sept. 21 for set-up, breakdown and cleanup for the Western Night on Western fundraiser held by Lampasas County Museum. The 200 and 300 blocks of East Second Street also will be closed to through traffic during the event.
The council also named Teresa Faught and Judi Whitis to the Library Advisory Board.
The council approved a rezoning request for property at 1112 E.
Fourth St. -- described as part of Lots 6-7, Block 7, East Lampasas Addition -- from Commercial “C” to Single Residential Family-6 “SF-6.”
Council members also held another executive session Monday with their attorney for what was listed as a matter concerning Ajinomoto Foods, but no action was taken when the council returned to open session.
The next meetings of the City Council will be a budget workshop Monday at 3 p.m.; a final budget workshop July 28 at 3 p.m. before the regular workshop at 5:30 p.m.; and the regular council meeting to follow around 6 p.m. All meetings will be held in the Jack Calvert Municipal Building, 302 E. Third St.
