Council reviews long-term water plan

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

Although recent drought conditions are not yet threatening Lockhart”s water supply, the future could change the availability of water in Caldwell County.
The City of Lockhart”s participation in the Carrizo-Wilcox Water group was a key topic of discussion during Tuesday evening”s city council meeting.
According to a

ssistant city manager Vance Rodgers, Lockhart has been participating in the water group with surrounding communities, including San Marcos, Buda and Kyle for nearly two years. The group is planning the long-term future of water supplies in this area – plans which include a pipeline from Gonzales County, through Caldwell County and across to Hays County.
“Our peak usage right now is about 2.8 million [gallons],” Rodgers said. “Right now, between our wells and the line from Luling, we have a sufficient supply to meet our needs.”
He continued to explain that participation in the group was not an immediate necessity, but would put Lockhart in a favorable position in the future.
“The cost of this participation will be around $260,000 over the next three years,” he said. “But the difference is that if we stay in, we”ll wind up being a part-owner in the pipeline, instead of a customer.”
The council instructed Rodgers to keep meeting with the Carrizo-Wilcox group for the time being.
More detailed information on the Carrizo-Wilcox water partnership will be released as it becomes available.
In other council business, the council appointed a five-member committee of citizens to review applications for the 2006-2007 HOME Program grant applications. The board will make recommendations to the council regarding the local administration of the grant program, including the local applicants suggested to receive the benefits of the grant funds.
In brief council news:
The Council heard a presentation from representatives of Time Warner Cable regarding the launch of Time Warner”s digital phone service in Lockhart.
The city set aside 36 cemetery spaces in the Lockhart Municipal Cemetery for indigent burials.
Mayor James “Jimmy” Bertram read a proclamation declaring the weekend of May 5 – 7 “Cinco de Mayo Weekend in Lockhart.”
The city raised rates for police-ordered towing calls and impounds.
The Lockhart City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Glosserman Conference Room of Lockhart City Hall.