July 30, 2021
Update from City Council Meeting of July 26
The council gave the OK for the VFW Post #12041 to upgrade the Gazebo at the Veterans’ Memorial Park on Main Street. They will also be adding a ramp for easy access.
The ordinance to reduce the speed limit to 25 mph on certain city streets that I wrote about in my last update was voted on and approved. The reduced speed limit will go into effect as soon as the new speed limit signs are installed. The violation of the new ordinance will be a misdemeanor punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than $10.00 and not more than $200.00.
Our Animal Care and Control Division will soon be getting some new kennels. The City of Natalia asked if they could have our old ones. The Council approved the request.
A city budget workshop and special meeting has been scheduled for August 2. The meeting is open to the public and will be in the City Hall, starting at 6:30.
Seventy properties around town were found to have trees that need trimming due to low lying limbs on roadways. The property owners will be sent letters notifying them of the issue and giving them the opportunity to trim the trees or the city will have to trim them.
Hot pink notices will soon be sent out to delinquent taxpayers. This notice tells them that they are on the city’s delinquent tax roll and that their names will be posted in the local newspaper if they don’t pay their taxes.
We discussed the possible need of hiring someone to help with the multiple tasks that fall under the jurisdictions of the City Council and City Hall. One suggestion was that we hire a City Administrator. City Administrators work under and report to City Councils. Our city is not large enough to have a City Manager, which is a position that does not work under nor report to City Councils. The job description for a City Administrator is quite extensive and would require us to pay something in the area of $100,000 a year, plus insurance and benefits, for the right person. This amount would be a new line item in our already stretched budget. Several people at the meeting objected to spending this amount of money at this time, suggesting that Lytle is several years away from needing such a position. This is an open item.
Please feel free to contact me at david.emery@lytletx.org if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
The next City Council meeting is August 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall. These are open meetings, so everyone is welcome to come.
