Texas Monthly bringing BBQ festival back in November

By Leesa Teale, LPR Publisher
On Tuesday, April 1, the Lockhart City Council held the first of their monthly meetings. Where confirmation was given that the Texas Monthly 2025 BBQ World’s Fair will once again be held in Lockhart.
After a presentation by representatives from Texas Monthly, the City Council agreed to extend the partnership with Texas Monthly for the hosting of the 2025 annual BBQ Fest. This event is scheduled for November 1-2 and will take place in the historic Courthouse Square and City Park.
Also the Lockhart City Council and Mayor Lew White, recognized the National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week by presenting a proclamation.
The Mayor awarded a proclamation to Police Chief Gary Williamson and Isaac Martinez from the Lockhart Police Dispatch Division, designating the week of April 13-19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
The City Council approved a modification to the existing agreement with the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority GBRA, allowing the City to receive water from a second delivery point located next to the City’s elevated storage tank along SH 130.
Establishing a second delivery point for treated water:

• Enhances redundancy in the water system, increasing the utility’s resilience.
• Ensures an additional water supply during outages, maintenance, or rehabilitation of the City’s water treatment facility.
  The City of Lockhart & Lockhart Economic Development FY 2023-24 Annual Financial Audit and Comprehensive Financial Report was given.
  The City Council received a report from Brooks Watson and Company, an independent auditing firm. A representative from the firm presented the annual financial audit for FY 2023-24, which received an unmodified (clean) opinion letter, the highest level of assurance in auditing.
  The purchase of a portable stage for various community events was also discussed. The City Council approved the acquisition of a portable stage intended for use at community events co-sponsored by the Parks Department and the City.
  With the growing amount of portable food establishments (food trucks), City Council made the decision to make amendments to the portable food establishment’s ordinance.
  The City Council approved revisions to the ordinance stating that the updated amendment mandates that portable food establishments, including food trucks, must obtain a license on their first day of operation. Prior to this amendment, Food trucks operating for less than four days are exempt from permit and inspection requirements.The City Manager gave a report on several topics in regard to city clean up, swimming pool and splash pad openings and other topics. It was reported that during the City-Wide Spring Clean-Up event, Republic Services collected a total of 106.81 tons of bulk waste, which is an increase of 24.67 tons compared to the fall event. A total of fifteen solid waste trucks were deployed for this Spring event.
  With warmer temperatures coming soon and school will soon be out for the summer, the announcement of splash pads and city pool opening dates were announced.
  The splash pads opened on Tuesday, April 1. The City Pool is set to open on Saturday, May 24, at 12 p.m.
  Also an update was given on the new Aquatic Center Development. The City has received twelve proposals from consulting firms for the design of the new Aquatic Center. Four firms have been interviewed, and staff has recommended Halff for the design of the new facility.
  Indoor Recreation Center Development report was given stating that the Parks and Recreation staff are in the process of preparing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural services. The RFQ is expected to be completed within two weeks, pending legal and staff review.
  To conclude the meeting discussion was made on the traffic signal installation at FM 1322 & FM 20. TxDOT is in the process of installing new traffic signals at the intersection of FM 1322 and FM 20. Crews faced delays due to last week’s weather conditions. Before the signals become fully operational, they will enter a flashing phase to alert drivers of the upcoming changes and allow them to be aware of the upcoming permanent changes in the lights.