Entrances to Lockhart discussed

By Kyle Mooty

LPR Editor

Lockhart Mayor Lew White wants those seeing the first signs of Lockhart while entering the city to see a strong representation of the community.

City Council listened to discussion and possible direction regarding design standards and entrance corridors at last week’s meeting.

“You drive around in some of these other communities, and you see 3- or 4-story apartment complexes and wall-to-wall fast food places,” White said. “To me, it ought to be height-regulated, restrictions as far as how far it ought to be set back off the highway. There ought to be architectural, historical-type designs. I don’t think we want any type of mall or large shopping areas in those areas. We certainly want to preserve the trees as much as we can.”

Council member John Castillo noted a 4-story hotel had already been approved at the intersection of SH 142 and SH 130, adding “I just want to be consistent.”

Mayor Pro Tem Angie Gonzales-Sanchez said the first appearance people see when entering Lockhart could be their ever-lasting impression.

“It embraces that person, and they say, ‘Hey, I think Lockhart would be a really good place to live,’” Gonzales-Sanchez said. “The growth Lockhart is going through, to me is good growth, and that’s needed.”

White wants to protect the appearance and character of the city’s state highway entrance corridors, specifically noting US 183. The standards could regulate building design and styles, parking, outdoor lighting, tree preservation, and more. The mayor and council agreed to schedule a workshop with the Planning Department to discuss goals and standards.

In other business:

Council received an update from Raftelis, the city’s utility rate consultants, on its water and wastewater rate study. The consultant highlighted that the city’s rates and fees must fund operations and capital projects, maintain reserves and debt service coverage, fund growth, and ensure customer rate equity.

The city is reevaluating its water and sewer rates primarily due to the new Carrizo Groundwater Project water supply coming online, as well as increases in the maintenance and operations costs and debt service requirements for the city’s treated wholesale water supply. The city entered into a contract with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority in 2018. This groundwater development project will generate 15,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater which will be distributed to participating utilities like Lockhart. The city is responsible for its proportional share of the project’s debt service and operational expenses.

Raftelis’ recommendation to Lockhart City Council is to increase the current water rates by 35 percent for FY 2025, then by 20 percent for FY 2026 to account for the current increase in these costs.

Raftelis also recommended a 3 percent increase for wastewater rates in 2025 and 2026.

After the proposed increases in 2025, Lockhart’s rates would still be more economical than the combined water and sewer rates paid on average by customers in neighboring, similar-sized communities.

City Council will consider approval of the new water/wastewater rates at the Sept. 17 meeting. If approved, the new rates will be implemented in the second billing cycle in November 2024.

Regarding the recent rash of firearms being shot within the Lockhart City Limits, the city is using an educational campaign to remind the public of the danger such activities pose.

City Manager Steve Lewis said discharging firearms within the city is a violation of the city’s Ordinance as well as a violation of Texas State Law.

“This generally happens on weekends, associated with sporting events or holidays,” Lewis said. “We want to inform the community of the danger it poses. some hot spot areas within the community.

“It’s a misconception that firing weapons in the air does not endanger lives and doesn’t damage property. People often think that action is harmless, but it’s not. There’re real life consequences of bullets landing and causing injuries to people. A very important part of this is it kind of threatens people’s sense of security and sense of public safety.”

Lockhart’s new ladder truck for the fire department is anticipated to arrive by year’s end. Meanwhile, the city has reduced its number of firefighters from 7 to 6, while increasing its number of fire engineers from 3 to 6.

“Fire engineers have additional training to safely and efficiently operate the complex fire suppression systems on equipment such as ladder trucks,” said City Secretary and Human Resources Director Julie Bowermon.

Construction on the Downtown Revitalization Project began in the downtown area last week. Work will initially start in the areas north of San Antonio Street between 183 and S. Main, as well as some areas of Church Street. Work will be performed between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. City staff will receive biweekly status reports from the contractor and the information and future updates will be posted on the city website and social media throughout the duration of the project.

Council member Jeffry Michelson asked that residents be patient with the project.

“There’ll be a lot of movement, but once it’s done it’ll be awesome,” Michelson said.

Council adopted a reduction in the tax rate from $0.5348 per $100 property valuation to $0.5093 per $100 property valuation, a $0.0255 (4.7 percent) decrease for the 2024 tax year.

Council approved a request by the Marilyn Riddle Trust for a Zoning Change from AO Agricultural-Open Space District to CMB Commercial Medium Business, RMD Residential Medium Density, and RHD Residential High-Density Districts on 177.78 acres located in the 1500, 1600, and 1700 blocks of South Commerce Street.

The Splash Pads at City Park and off Maple Street will close for the season on Oct. 27 but are currently open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The Lockhart City Pool, as of Sept. 1, is closed for the season.

National Night Out (NNO) will be Tuesday, Oct. 1 with the Lockhart Police, Fire, and EMS attending block parties throughout Lockhart neighborhoods.

NNO is an annual community-building campaign that takes place in communities across the country and promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.

Neighborhoods can register to host a block party by contacting Tina Ramsey at 512-398-4401 or tramsey@lockhart-tx.org. The deadline to register is Sept.27 at noon.