Council accepts property donation

By LPR Staff

Editor/POST-REGISTER

After shuttering their congregation earlier this year, the membership of the St. Paul United Church of Christ has decided to donate their property on South Main Street to the City of Lockhart.

The property, which includes the sanctuary, the adjacent meeting space and an outbuilding, sits on approxi

mately one-third of an acre, according to information provided by the Caldwell County Appraisal District.

Mayor Lew White said that there have been “very preliminary” discussions about what to do with the property, given its limited parking and placement within a residential district, but said he believes this is a unique opportunity for the City.

Councilmember Jeffry Michelson noted he appreciated the donation, but cautioned his colleagues about “letting it sit and languish like we’ve done with other buildings in the past.”

At the suggestion of Councilmember Brad Westmoreland, the Council will likely put together an advisory committee to discuss the potential use for the property, including the possible renovations moving forward.

In other business, the council announced their intention to set the tax rate for the coming fiscal year at $0.7260 per $100 of valuation. While the rate will impose a small tax increase for most property owners, the increase will generate sufficient revenue to cover increases to the police department, and extra investment in street and road projects.

The rate is subject to two public hearings, which will be held on Sept. 5 and Sept. 19, prior to the council’s final approval of the budget.

In brief news:

The Council approved several changes to the Code of Ordinances Building Codes, based on updated versions of International Building Codes.

They approved the installation of lighting systems at the Cpl. Jason K. LaFleur Soccer Complex.

City Manager Vance Rodgers noted the Lockhart City Pool is now closed for the season, because all of the lifeguards have returned to school.

The Lockhart City Council routinely meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Third Floor Council Chambers of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library Complex. The meetings are open to the public, and are available for viewing on Spectrum Digital Cable Channel 10, and online at www.lockhart-tx.org.